The Intersection Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with guest co-host writer, producer and all-around creative Chijioke Elizabeth Obi to discuss strategies in effectively communicating the hard things to the people you love. There was so much ground to cover so this is only part 1 of what will be an ongoing series on communication and relational intelligence. This topic is close to my heart because I'm such a profound advocate of not sweeping things under the rug. SAY THE THINGS. Do the work. And do not postpone (and, consequently, increase) the discomfort. Address it head on so that it doesn't grow legs and become all forms of pain, destruction and unnecessarily squandered relationships.

When we’re flexing on each other we are committed to the competition, and when we are shining we are being our brightest versions. We’re cultivating our light and we are emanating that for the world to see/ enjoy/ benefit from/ be inspired by. If you shine brightly there may come a time where you're accused of "flexing" i.e. showing off, when really you're just being yourself and being that well. It is not our call or obligation to shrink for people. As Marriane Williamson famously said, "...We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Such a dynamic conversation with the vibrant UC Irvine community. In November 2021 I was Artist-in-Residence with the UCI Theater Department and the concluding event was a full production of my stage play, The Intersection: Woke Black Folk. We discuss so many topics including: the concept of cancel culture, employing nuance in challenging situations and movement spaces, and diving more deeply into my experience as a new artist years ago as I formulated my inaugural works as a playwright. We also explore the importance of believing in yourself before anyone ever even sees or affirms your vision. You must be your own first affirmation and greatest proponent. (Note: A few clips from the discussion were removed for timing purposes.) Rest in perfect peace (RIP) to the beautiful and brilliant Ella, who moderated this conversation— She is no longer physically with us but her spirit lives on. Deep gratitude to have had the opportunity to be in conversation with her.

What happens when we reframe failure as re-direction? Perception can be the difference between falling into a state of profound insecurity vs. rising to the occasion with perseverance. In this episode we discuss the in and outs of allowing your failures to teach you rather than shrink you.

The growing pains and challenges that accompany evolving into your next version are plentiful, but there are tools to refine this process as you get to know who you're becoming. Everybody's talking about boundaries but do we discuss what it truly takes to embody your assertions, affirmations and projections? It takes a re-wiring. And once you've done that inner work, your energy and way of being will re-introduce you, and will speak much louder than your words.