Podcasting Is the New Kink!

This is the last episode about Black Cake but this is definitely my favorite conversation! Today on Podcasting Is the New Kink!, Nicole and I discuss diversions from novel and reason why the producers of the series made the choices they did.We delve into the themes of secrets and identity and we explore how secrets shape the characters' lives and relationships, particularly focusing on the question: how much of our identity is shaped by the secrets we keep?. The conversation highlights the impact of colonialism, the portrayal of women, and the significance of familial relationships, ultimately questioning how adaptations can simplify complex narratives.We also dive into themes of family legacy, the impact of police brutality in media, character representation, and the cultural significance of the Nine Night ceremony. We emphasize the importance of identity and the connections to heritage, particularly in the context of Jamaican culture.We talk:08:46 - Diving into character diversions22:01 - Byron's journey and character development30:03 - Police brutality in media39:05 - Casting choices and audience perception46:28 - Cultural significance of the Nine Night CeremonyEpisode References:Inside Out 2 (2024)Marvel Cinematic UniverseGet Millie Black (TV Series 2024)The Other Black Girl Trailer (Episode 58-64)Steve HarrisDiary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)Marlan WayansBel-Air (TV Series 2022- )Michael BeachConnect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersreadConnect with me on IG @pod.kink *This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Which is worse? Knowing or not knowing? Another important question from the story in Black Cake. I'm not sure which is worse, but if I have to know, I want to hear it from the source! My cohost, Dr. Nicole and I discuss this further in this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!Today we delve into the themes of Black Cake, focusing on the power of storytelling and the impact of cultural expectations on identity. We explore the characters' secrets, particularly Benny and Byron's struggles with identity, relationships, and societal pressures. We also discuss how the adaptation of the story from book to series affects the narrative and character development. One of the main themes we touch on is the concept of the ''Bennett Way," exploring the unrealistic expectations placed on individuals within families and the broader implications of these dynamics. We reflect on the significance of ancestry and the miracles that unfold in the story, emphasizing the importance of personal journeys and self-discovery.We talk:08:49 - Siblings and their secrets14:55 - Benny's journey and relationships26:49 - Identity and agency43:07 - Byron's Struggles and Secrets01:01:02 - Miracles and ancestry Episode References:Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola DavisConnect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersreadConnect with me on IG @pod.kink *This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much truth do parents owe their children? I'm not a parent, so I definitely don't know the answer to this question, but it was fun to discuss it! In this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, Dr. Nicole and I dive into Black Cake, and if you've read the novel or watched the series you probably understand why that question is so important.This conversation delves into the themes of family secrets, generational trauma, and the impact of colonialism as explored in the book and series. Nicole and I reflect on personal experiences with family secrets, the importance of truth between parents and children, and how these themes resonate within Caribbean culture. They also discuss the significance of Black Cake as a symbol of identity and the adaptation of the story from book to screen, highlighting the poetic writing style and visual storytelling that brings the narrative to life. We highlight the importance of queer representation in media, the production process, and the significance of casting choices. We discuss the impact of music on storytelling and analyze the narrative structure, including cliffhangers and foreshadowing. And, we emphasize the need for authenticity in representation.We talk:05:59 Exploring truth between parents and children14:59 The art of adaptation from book to screen21:04 Visual storytelling 33:59 Celebrating queer representation in media41:12 Cinematic choices and character development53:39 Music's role in storytellingEpisode References:Queenie by Candice Carty-WilliamsPodcasting Is the New Kink! Season 8: The Other Black Girl Master of None (TV Series 2015–2021)Frazier (Reboot TV Series 2023–2024)Downton Abbey (TV Series 2010–2015)Connect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersreadConnect with me on IG @pod.kink *This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcasting Is the New Kink! is back with a new review and an old friend!Welcome to season 9, which is all about Black Cake, novel by Charmaine Wilkerson, and series adaptation by Harpo Films, Two Drifters, Kapital Entertainment, and ABC Signature. The book was an amazing read and the show was a fantastic watch. I'm so excited to share my thoughts and feeling with you!And, I brought back my favorite cohost, Nicole M. Young-Martin, founder, producer, and host of the podcast, Black Writers Read. We discuss themes, characters, settings, and more.Connect with Nicole on her website blackwritersread.com and IG @blackwritersreadConnect with me on IG @pod.kinkIn this season, we are going to talk about why you should invest some time reading the book AND watching the series. We usually recommend the book for certain audiences and the series for others. But, this time we want you to do both!Stay tuned for new episodes released on Wednesdays! And, make sure that you are subscribed to Podcasting Is the New Kink! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would you do if you were in Nella's shoes? We've done a lot of talking about her actions, motivations, and background, but now it's time to put ourselves in her place. In this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, Nicole and I dive into the choices we would make, emphasizing the significance of pain and resilience in shaping who we are today.We also give our predictions for a hypothetical season two, even though the series was cancelled after the first season, and we discuss the importance of having clear motivations for our protagonists, especially when they are hella messy. Great examples of messy but loveable protagonists show up in two of The Onyx Collective's other shows: "Queenie." and "Unprisoned." We compare the different worlds portrayed, the production value differences, and the relatability of the heroes in all three shows, with the protagonists from "Queenie," and "Unprisoned," being more likable than Nella, even though they were just as messy.We talk:Comparison to "Unprisoned" - 1:07Predictions for the season we didn't get - 12:26"What would YOU do?" questions - 25:09This is the last episode of our series on "The Other Black Girl," novel and series, so I hope you have enjoyed our discussion. There will definitely be more. Stay tuned!Episode References:The Other Black Girl (TV Series 2023)The Other Black Girl (Novel 2021)Zakiya Dalila HarrisUnprisoned (TV Series 2023–2024)Queenie (TV Series 2024–)Queenie (book by Candice Carty-Williams, 2019)Black Panther (Film 2018)Connect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersread*This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One thing “The Other Black Girl,” was missing was its sense of a New York setting. The book noted the resistance meeting in Harlem, but didn’t talk about where Wagner was located. And, the series used vague stock videos instead of showing specific landmarks, so we don’t know what neighborhoods they were in. This is just another thing the series was lacking. And, Nicole and I go into all of our production likes and dislikes in this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!We liked the characterization through costuming. For example, Nella starting off wearing neutral colors and plain patterns, but ended up wearing bright hues and daring silhouettes, and we saw her experimenting along the way. Her costumes directly represented her character arc, and it was fun to watch.We also talk about the production company, The Onyx Collective, and similar shows that they have produced, like "Queenie," which we both found more engaging, well-written, and visually appealing. We emphasize the importance of genuine diversity and the need for better adaptations of black literature.Episode References:The Other Black Girl (TV Series 2023)The Other Black Girl (Novel 2021)Zakiya Dalila HarrisThe Twilight Zone (2019–2020)American Fiction (2023)"Erasure" by Percival EverettTara DuncanTimes ReviewThe Onyx Collective ShowsQueenie (2024)"Queenie" by Candice Carty-WilliamsBWR Bonus: Nicole on Candice Carty-Williams' QueenieTOBG Wiki PageDem Bois Pod Ep. 58 Culture and CannabisPINK Ep. 61 Themes, Genres, and Cultural RelevanceConnect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersread*This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The last episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! ended with me talking about what makes a thriller and the elements that are usually included in thrillers. This episode starts with a conversation about why "The Other Black Girl" is NOT a thriller and what it lacks.We also highlight the lack of clear character motivations, the inconsistent use of time and place markers, and the unrealistic portrayal of black women greasing each other's scalps, or temples, like the series shows. We compare it to other successful thrillers like "The Blackening" and "Inside Out 2," noting the importance of suspense, a clock, and believable plot devices. The conversation also touches on the rushed production timeline and the need for better context and development of themes related to blackness/anti-blackness, respectability politics, and workplace culture.We talk:The brilliance of "Inside Out 2" - 4:36Time/place markers in the book - 11:11Series production time, or lack of it - 19:01Social commentary of "the grease" - 27:26Revising Diana's character - 34:37In this episode, I learned that the production time for streamed series is very short. And the writers aren't usually a part of the filming process, so they don't get a chance to gel and really develop the show. These streaming companies prefer quantity over quality and it shows!Episode References:The Other Black Girl (TV Series 2023)The Other Black Girl (Novel 2021)Zakiya Dalila Harris2023 Writers Guild of America StrikeInside Out 2The BlackeningConnect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersread*This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"The Other Black Girl" was billed as "Get Out" meets "Devil Wears Prada," but it definitely missed the mark there. And, that is a huge part of the discussion in this episode of Podcasting is the New Kink! Nicole and I had to take some leaps to draw parallels between these stories, and it was not easy.We also discuss themes in "The Other Black Girl," both the book and series. We explore the concept of "outward facing, or forced diversity" and the role it plays in corporate settings, citing how the story uses the publishing industry as an example. One my my favorite parts of this conversation surrounded the portrayal of blackness, anti-blackness, and workplace politics and hair in the book and its adaptation. We also touch on the story's portrayal of sisterhood and the lack of it.We talk:Forced diversity in real life - 6:54Hair as a key identity marker for Black women - 18:37Blackness not accepted in workplace culture - 24:00Sisterhood and the lack thereof - 34:56"Get Out" meets "Devil Wears Prada" - 45:01What makes a thriller a thriller - 52:29At the end of this episode, I talk about what makes a thriller a thriller, highlighting the importance of suspense, plot twists, and character development, and critiquing the book and series's failure to meet these expectations.Episode References:The Other Black Girl (TV Series 2023)The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila HarrisZakiya Dalila HarrisDem Bois Podcast Ep. #58 - Culture and Cannabis: Advocating for Black Trans MenGabby DouglasSimone BilesCaste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel WilkersonOrigin (Movie 2023)Black Writers Read Podcast Ep. Bonus: Isabel Wilkerson's Caste, a Conversation with Pink Lady Jasmine GaryGet Out (Movie 2017)The Devil Wears Prada (Movie 2006)The Prestige (Movie 2006)Connect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersread*This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Other Black Girl's TV series ended with a bang! We loved the fact that there was potential to explore Nella's transformation into a more assertive character, especially contrasting with the book's less satisfying conclusion. And, we liked that they left lots of room for another season. But, we may never get that second season, because for now it's been cancelled. My cohost Nicole and I talk about this and more in this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!We talk:Racism in Boston and the lack of that context - 2:54Shani and Kendra Rae's narrow introductions - 9:45Jesse Watson's character in the book vs the series - 19:08Political commentary in the series - 22:45The endings - 30:06One of my favorite parts of the conversation was about the confusion around Shani's character and the lack of context provided. In the book, she is used to introduce the resistance, and that storyline is pretty choppy and hard to follow. In the series there is no resistance, so we are left to wonder about Shani's actions and her relation to Kendra Rae.The lack of context and character development is mentioned multiple times:surrounding Shani, as mentioned abovewhen Nicole gives us background on Boston's racial dynamics and critiques its portrayal in the storylinewhen we discuss the lack of depth in characters like Owen and Malaika We also talk about the political commentary in Jesse Watson's role and the series' critique of the publishing industry. Connect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersreadEpisode References:The Other Black Girl (TV Series 2023)The Other Black Girl (Novel 2021)Zakiya Dalila HarrisClayton Bigsby, the World’s Only Black White Supremacist - Chappelle’s ShowInside Out 2*This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A main character in "The Other Black Girl," was the grease, but we don't really know much about it. What the h*** was it's purpose? Who made it? What does it symbolize in the "real" world? How does it actually work? The book does a very shallow dive into these questions, and the series does even less. But, the grease isn't the only character missing a backstory. Almost all of them are! "Hazel" is the only one who gets actual character history and we are grateful to understand her motives so deeply, but she's the main antagonist! Why does she get a backstory before the protagonist? Make it make sense!In this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, Nicole and I discuss the lack of character development in "The Othe Black Girl." We start with a focus on Diana Gordon and Kendra Rae, noting the disconnect in their storylines and the lack of depth in their friendship. We also critique the portrayal of Owen and Malaika, as flat characters dropped into Nella's world, without their own storylines. And, we discuss the story's failure to provide good explanations for key plot points and character actions.We talk:Diana Gordon and Kendra Rae - 1:08The "Grease" - 15:02The differences in how we consume media - 25:41Owen and Malaika - 32:28In the episode Nicole makes a comment about how we all consume different types of media, specifically comparing TV series' and novels. In books, we use our imagination, we can literally read the subtext, and there is an expectation of the reader to use their imagination to fill in certain things. In a TV series, we need to be spoon-fed! The production should show the world that needs to be seen and give us all the tools for it to make sense. We shouldn't have to make huge inferences about what it going on. We shouldn't have to guess!Unfortunately, I still have a bunch of questions, and I've already watched the series twice, so please hit me up if you know there is something I missed, or if you have the answers! :)Connect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersreadEpisode References:The Other Black Girl (TV Series 2023)The Other Black Girl (Novel 2021)Zakiya Dalila HarrisGet Out (2017)The Blackening (2022)Queenie (2024-)Dangerous Minds (1995)*This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"The Other Black Girl" was an EXTREMELY popular novel and TV series, and I usually stay away from things like that because me and popular don't have a very good relationship. But, my co-host Nicole is drawn to it. She is interested in uncovering how things become so popular and what makes audiences so interested.When we heard about "The Other Black Girl," we couldn't stay away! I was especially excited about a thriller based on a novel written by a Black woman, with a Black woman protagonist and antagonist. And, I'm super excited to share our conversation in this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!. Nicole and I analyze the book and series, noting the lack of character development, the importance of diverse representation in media, and much more.We talk:What drew us to the book and series - 7:07How we feel about things that are "popular" - 16:35Our protagonist, Nella - 23:39The lack of history for our Characters - 36:49Our antagonist, Hazel's hair - 46:22Budget and production - 54:54One question that kept coming up was, who was this for? Both the book and the series seemed to lack connection with the presumed audience, Black women. Stay tuned for more on this in the next episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! Connect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersreadEpisode References:The Other Black Girl (TV Series 2023)The Other Black Girl (Novel 2021)Zakiya Dalila HarrisGet Out (2017)The Blackening (2022)Sex and the City (1998 - 2004)The Passion of the Christ (2004)Game of Thrones (TV Series 2011–2019)Lynn NottageRoots (1977)Queenie (2024-)Sinclair DanielInsecure (2016 - 2021)Rashida Jones*This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I hope you are ready for the next season of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, because here it comes! And, this time, I've brought a guest!Season 8 is all about The Other Black Girl, the super popular novel by Zakiya Dalila Harris AND the questionable series by The Onyx Collective aka Disney. And, I am joined by my new friend and sister in podcasting, the amazing Nicole M. Young-Martin. Nicole is a writer, educator, editor and performer, and she is the founder, producer, and host of the podcast, Black Writers Read, which launched on Juneteenth in 2020.Connect with Nicole on her website blackwritersread.com and IG @blackwritersreadIn this special season, we are going to talk about why you should spend some time reading the book and/or watching the series, and why the themes within are so important.Stay tuned for new episodes released on Wednesdays! And, make sure that you are subscribed to Podcasting Is the New Kink! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleven episodes later and this is the finale! It's a bittersweet day because this will be the last episode of season 7 and our last interview with a Black Women Yogi... for now anyway! :)Welcome back to another episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! In this episode, I sit down with Nyah P, yogi and Reiki Master, and we discuss the importance of confidence and empowerment, especially for Black women. Nyah discusses how reiki helps with stress, anxiety, and grounding, and shares her personal journey into reiki, which began as a holistic approach to her grandmother's illness. She emphasizes the benefits of reiki, including improved posture and voice, and the importance of self-practice. Nyah also highlights the significance of affirmations and music in her practice, and offers insights into her monthly newsletter and community reiki shares.We talk:Why it's important for Black women to feel empowered - 3:33How Nyah was introduced to reiki - 14:50How she was introduced to yoga - 23:15Benefits of reiki - 40:23The importance of affirmations - 49:39One of my favorite conversations in this episode was about Nyah's spiritual practice and how she stays grounded. With all of the energy that we have to interact with on almost a daily basis, protecting your spirit is very important, so I asked how she does it. And, she talks about how she cleanses herself and her space. She also talks about the importance of grounding and how reiki works both ways, healing practitioners while they perform reiki on others, which blew my mind!Connect with Nyah P on her IG @divinelyguided_333 and sign up for her newsletter!Episode References:3 Yoga Benefits for Black Women with Adi Kaur Part 1 and Part 27 Benefits of Yoga for Black People with Zikea McCurdieJhene AikoLondrelleCoax MarieI'm so grateful to all the AMAZING Black Women Yogis I spoke to on this season of Podcasting Is the New Kink! Please connect with them! And, if you have any questions or want to get in touch with me, hit me up on IG @pod.kink*Get your ticket for The Black Love Healing Circle today on Eventbrite and use code PINKLADY for $10 off! More info on their website at healyourloveperiod.com**This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is it important to relax? What's the big deal with being still and meditating? If you've ever asked either of these questions then stay tuned, because that is what this one is all about!In this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, I sit down with Kandiz Hause, aka Dream Yogi Kandi, and she tells us why it's so important to take the time to reset, especially as Black women. We have to replenish our intellect, our creativity, our calm, and everything else. We have to take time to just be, and not focus on productivity.We talk:Building a yoga routine - 6:45How yoga helps inform who you are - 18:06Growing up in church and then stepping away - 30:03Advice for yoga beginners - 42:05We also talk about emotional regulation (11:42) and that part was such a gem that I had to break it down to make sure that I could fully understand! It happens it three steps:1. Acknowledging the emotion and however you feel.2. Identifying why you feel that way and what triggered it.3. Managing your information so that you can transmute the energy!You see, a lot of the times when we are upset, we don't necessarily know why we're upset. We feel all the cues: shortened breath, sweating, tears, etc., but we may not be sure what triggered them. This process helps you slow down and figure all that out, before you act!One main theme that kept coming up was about noticing your progress and being grateful for it. As someone who has been on this healing journey for what feels like an eternity, I have to consistently acknowledge my progress. I know that I have reached multiple goals and that I'm on my way to achieving multiple more. Otherwise, it feels like I'm standing still, and that just sucks! Being still helps you acknowledge your progress, regulate your emotions, replenish your energy, and more. And, if that's not enough, then I don't know what else to tell you!Connect with Kandi on her website dreamzyogi.com, her IG @kandithedreamyogi, and her Link Tree! *Get your ticket for The Black Love Healing Circle today on Eventbrite and use code PINKLADY for $10 off! More info on their website at healyourloveperiod.com**This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever heard of womb reiki? What about ayurveda and doshas? If you're like me, then your mind is about to be blown! Because I head never heard of any of these things and I learned so much on this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, with Dr. Allonia Water. Dr. Allonia (put some respect on her DR!) is a yoga instructor, reiki master, and herbalist, and she specializes in all those words I asked you about at the beginning of this paragraph. In this episode we discuss reframing your mindset, helping women feel good in their skin, breaking generational curses, and much more!We talk:What blockages feel like - 7:02Benefits of yoga - 16:44Why it's important for yoga spaces to be inclusive - 28:39What working with Dr. Allonia looks like - 39:54The healing aspects of yoga - 54:40Affirmations for Black women - 1:04:15One of my favorite conversations in this episode was about the energetics in the food we eat... It reminded me of how I used to LOVE bacon! I would eat it with everything; breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert. The time of day didn't matter. Bacon went well with anything! So when I made the decision to stop eating red meat, bacon was the last thing for me to give up, and it was definitely the hardest. But, starting on this journey to vegetarianism, or maybe even veganism, was on of the best decisions I've ever made. I had to reframe my mindset for holistic healing. And, now my energy is higher, my skin is clearer, and my spirit feels more connected than ever before.In this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, Dr. Allonia challenges us to do just that. And, she gives us advice to get us started: eat live foods like vegetables and fruits, instead of dead meats!Check out Dr. Allonia's website sticksstonesandroots.com and IG @sticksstonesandroots!*Get your ticket for The Black Love Healing Circle today on Eventbrite and use code PINKLADY for $10 off! More info on their website at healyourloveperiod.com**This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm not a mom, so I don't usually talk about mom/parent things on the podcast. But, in this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, my guest Brittney and I dive into how she was basically introduced to yoga by her unborn daughter. She talks about when she learned she was going to have a daughter, and how she decided to change herself for the better. I love how she thought about the mindset she wanted her daughter to have, even before she was born. She talks about doing affirmations together and really making sure that her daughter is confident in herself.If I'm ever blessed to become a mom, that is something I definitely plan to do!Brittney and I connect on the superficial things we used to equate with femininity; getting our hair permed and straightened, adding polish and acrylics to our nails, having our faces flawlessly made up, buying the most popular dresses and heels, etc. We compare that mindset with how we express femininity now. The biggest difference is the freedom! I used to feel like I had to be pretty and made up to feel like a women. There wasn't really a choice. These days, I barely wear makeup and when I do, it's because I want to! I wear my hair in protective styles like twists and braids all the time. I now know that none of that has anything to do with being a woman or being feminine. And, yoga helped.We talk:The importance of asking for consent - 7:57Why Brittney customizes plans for her clients - 15:31How she was introduced to yoga - 25:08Shifting her mindset on what is feminine - 34:57Benefits of yoga - 43:54Brittney talks about her business, Fitbyblee, and how she mixes fitness with yoga techniques. She works with women and meets her clients where they are, figuratively AND literally. She customizes each plan specifically for each client, and you know how much we love modifications over here! Brittney is out here changing people's lives and I love it!One of my favorite conversations in this episode was about the versatility and benefits of yoga. I talk about the progress I've seen on my journey and how yoga has helped me maintain my composure in the toughest of situations. And, Brittney shares that yoga has helped her keep calm.She also talks about her upcoming partnership with The Black Yogi Tribe. They have created an amazing 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training that will take place in March, in-person, in Birmingham, AL. CLICK HERE TO APPLY!Connect with Brittney on her website fitbyblee.com and on IG fitbyblee_*Get your ticket for The Black Love Healing Circle today on Eventbrite and use code PINKLADY for $10 off! More info on their website at healyourloveperiod.com**This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This conversation was supposed to be about yoga, and it was, kind of. But, really it was about healing and how yoga can help you with that. Welcome to the second part of my conversation with Adi Kaur, owner and founder of Inglenook Yoga - the first Black Owned Yoga Studio in Birmingham Alabama. In this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, Adi gives advice for beginners, tells us about her experience working at Lululemon, and discusses what it was like to work with her husband.We talk:Advice for beginner yogis - 4:51Adi's experience at Lululemon - 13:29Working with her husband - 24:32How you can get in touch with Adi - 32:57In this episode I get vulnerable about my spiritual journey and the things I've been dealing with this year. I also share about a time I felt shame about my body. This interview was not was I expected at all, but it was exactly what I needed and I'm grateful for it.Connect with Adi on Instagram, her website, and YoutubeEpisode References:Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma by Gail Parker Ep. 32 & Ep. 33 with the Amazing ClarksEp. 34 & Ep. 35 with Dee and Bee HendershotEp. 36 & Ep. 37 with Snooks and Lovey CasonEp. 17 & Ep. 41 with my partnerAdi Kaur on Insight Timer*Get your ticket for The Black Love Healing Circle today on Eventbrite and use code PINKLADY for $10 off! More info on their website at healyourloveperiod.com**This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the main difference between yoga and exercise? Mindful breath. When you practice yoga asanas, you are breathing into and out of poses. When you exercise, you may not be breathing at all. Adi Kaur goes more into detail about this in episode #52 of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, and she goes in! Adi is the owner and founder of Inglenook Yoga - the first Black Owned Yoga Studio in Birmingham Alabama, and we have a really dope conversation about bringing vision to life, benefits of yoga, and education vs. fear.We talk:Raising the money to build her studio - 4:29Being introduced to yoga on a date - 13:33Benefits of yoga - 20:58How yoga is not a religion/demonic - 33:38Building a stronger connection to the divine - 41:39Adi is a true believer and you can really hear the divine speaking through her. She talks about the importance of walking like a child of God, and not just when it benefits you. Her yoga studio started as a vision in her head, but she manifested it by speaking it into existence everyday, planning ahead, and putting herself in the position to receive. One of my favorite topics was about how many of us limit God. We forget that we are human and can't even fathom the power and intellect of the divine, but she reminds us that God is in everything, and prayer goes both ways. We just have to be still and listen!So what are the 3 yoga benefits for Black women:Helps you to advocate for yourself and stand in truthHelps you heal from trauma, personal and generational Helps you stay curious about your bodyYa'll this conversation was so good, I had to split it in half, so stay tuned for part 2, coming soon!Connect with Adi on Instagram, her website, and YoutubeEpisode References:Randall L. Woodfin, Mayor of Birmingham, ALMomma SanoviaSisters from AARP Interview*Get your ticket for The Black Love Healing Circle today on Eventbrite and use code PINKLADY for $10 off! More info on their website at healyourloveperiod.com**This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You don't have to earn rest! You body needs it and won't function well without it. But, everything we consume tells us that we don't. Instead, we are encouraged to be productive at all costs, to live like there is no tomorrow, and to sleep when you're dead. Well, death comes a lot sooner for people who don't intentionally rest their bodies. And, in this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, we're back with another amazing Black woman yogi, Tamika Chambers, and she talks about this in detail! She teaches us the importance of rest and assures us that listening to your body is the key.We talk:The importance of asking for consent - 5:05Discomfort vs pain - 16:10Spirit and energy in yoga - 26:20Advice for yogi beginners - 31:03Her response to "yoga is demonic" - 42:27Practicing stillness in different ways - 51:33Tamika also talks a lot about taking up space, which can be hard for many Black women because it isn't something we're familiar with. Many of us don't even know how to take up space. As a child, I was never taught to do that. I was never told to be myself or make everything about me. I never knew how to advocate for myself or speak up for what I wanted. In fact, many times I was instructed to do the opposite. "Shrink to fit yourself into this young, Christian, lady box (no pun intended)," and, "You don't need to say anything. God will handle it!" I always struggled with these things! That's one of the reasons I love yoga so much, because it's all about me. It's a personal practice that I can modify to fit my needs. I can take up as much space as I want and I can focus on my spirit, without having to explain anything to anyone. Tamika is an ordained minister and one thing I always hear about yoga is how demonic it is. It's not of God so it has to be of the devil, right?*rolls eyes* So I had to ask how she reconciles the two, and her answer was beautiful: her ministry is love! Love is inclusive. Love is caring. And, that is what she focuses on. She also draws many parallels between Christian and yoga practices. For example, think about meditation and prayer, or psalms and affirmations, or lighting candles and lighting incense. Instead of focusing on the differences between them, see the similarities.*Get your ticket for The Black Love Healing Circle today on Eventbrite and use code PINKLADY for $10 off! More info on their website at healyourloveperiod.com**This episode was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's all about community. That was the resounding message in this episode with Meli Acevedo, certified yoga instructor, climate and environmental justice warrior, and overall badass! No matter what we talked about, the conversation always looped back to the importance of community and building trust. And, let me tell you, we discussed it all!We talk:Why it's important to build community - 12:05My intro to yoga story - 25:31Being aware of the energy shared in yoga classes - 33:14Having discernment in helping - 41:41Yoga is for every body. Period! - 55:57Detaching from perfectionism - 1:07:36Meli teaches us how to have the discernment to help others. Many times, we get so caught up in the "help," part, that we don't pay attention to the "how," or the "what." Meaning, we want to help people so badly that we aren't interested in how they need to be helped or what we can actually provide. Her advice is to take it step-by-step:First ask yourself: what is your role in situation?Then ask yourself: what’s your capacity to help?Then, ask the person you want to help for permissionWe also talk about perfection and I almost gagged when she said, "Perfection does not exist!" If you've listened to season one of this podcast or followed @pinkladyprod on Instagram or TikTok, then you heard me say something like this at least once. And it is something I absolutely believe!I used to be a perfectionist. I would stress over every little detail of every little thing. How I looked, how I sounded, how I was perceived by everyone... I had to learn, through years of life coaching and a spiritual journey that is kicking my butt (in a good way), that what I was striving for was a fake, shallow version of myself. And, I had no control over all the things I was trying to control. What can go wrong, will go wrong! So here's my unsolicited advice to all of the perfectionists of the world: Instead of striving to be perfect, strive instead to do your best and be your authentic self.Check out Meli on Instagram @fatbrowngirlyoga.Episode References:Hood Feminism - book by Mikki KendallDiRTYOGA on InsatgramIgnite Yoga & Wellness InstituteEp. 4 - Forget about perfection and start your podcast!Ep. 44 - with Ebony MolockEp. 46 - with Black Rose Yogini*Get your ticket for The Black Love Healing Circle today on Eventbrite and use code PINKLADY for $10 off! More info on their website at healyourloveperiod.com**This episode was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.