The Sonshine State

In this episode I discuss all things wellness with some of LA's finest fitness experts. In this special installment, called "Gentlemen & Jack", we get a real and raw take on datings woes, keeping it together, maintaining boundaries and overall men's wellness. You don't want to miss this! Take a listen!

In this episode, Sonshine and special Guest Luis "Treluv" Smith discuss all things comedy and keeping it together. From relationships and wellness practices to stripping daughters, nothing is off limits with this one.

In this episode, I explore the possibility of being mentally well. There are many stigmas surrounding mental wellness, and if it is even possible. Today, we say yes to working toward our overall mental wellness. From positive self talk to reframing your personal boundaries, there was much explored in our topic today! There is ABSOLUTELY life after experiencing ANXIETY!

Have you ever found yourself unable to express happiness? As odd as it may sound, some have difficulty/guilt/shame surrounding happiness. In this episode of the Sonshine State, we take a deep dive into happiness. We discuss tools and techniques surrounding setting your happiness free. As we decide to no longer shrink our happiness for fear of offending others, we learn that we actually encourage others to be free as well. After this conversation, you too may consider allowing your joy to flourish without fear. After all, there's enough space for us all to win! Take a listen, and enjoy as we journey with "Good Vibes & Gratitude".

On this episode, we discuss forgiveness. Forgiveness for yourself and for those who do and don't deserve it! You are the passageway to your freedom, and forgiveness is one key to unlocking that path. Join me as I discuss my journey in forgiveness.

Welcome Back! Season 2 is now in progress! After a bit of a hiatus, this episode of the Sonshine State addresses the fear and stigma surrounding vulnerability. With the COVID-19 pandemic underway, Sonshine speaks about her own steps in attempting to remain on the path to emotional wellness. Let the journey continue...

To know a real life superhero can be an incredible experience, and helping one to recharge can be quite the daunting task! I have known and admired so many women who seemed like they could juggle every aspect of life without breaking a sweat. These women were in my schools, churches, past jobs, social organizations, and within my sister circles. They have and continue to teach me so much, and in this month of March (Women's History Month)I make it my business to tell them that they are loved and appreciated! How are you helping to rejuvenate the Superwomen in your life? If you need some ideas, be sure to take a listen as we explore just what it means to recharge a superwoman!

The Sonshine State is a podcast that explores several conversations relevant in our society today. These conversations are ultimately so that we can all achieve a state of peace and emotional wellness. In this episode, like many others, there is no easy way to speak about feeling the way you do. In embracing all schools of thought, we continue speaking about how black women want to be protected and what that looks like to the men who are doing their best to be the protectors. Stay tuned. Join the journey! Sonshine State!

In this episode of the Sonshine State, we talk further about being black, female, and protected. We sit down with two gentlemen who give their candid opinion on what it means to protect a black woman, and how it can be next to impossible due to the resistance on both parts. During part 1, the conversation begins, and let's us know that there is more to consider and much work to be done. Take a listen. Let's grow!

On the journey to wellness, there are many things we all face. We face love, joy, sadness, and despair. In this episode, we speak about grief, self awareness, self sabotage, and an overall metamorphosis. Take a listen, and as always feel free to leave your thoughts or personal stories. We would love to hear from you.

Finding a place of complete oneness with self, and discovering your tribe is a journey we all strive for, especially those living in the public eye. With so many stigmas surrounding emotional wellness in entertainment, especially for men, I was glad to have a vulnerable conversation with one of the most inspirational artists I've ever met. Humility, honesty, and gratitude guide the path of living as a #LoveWarrior! Shout out to @rhymefest for dropping some dope gems on The Sonshine State!

This episode is the feature from the 2018 Women in Podcasting Festival sponsored by the Southgate Media Group. We talk about avoidance and self medicating, and the various forms it takes. So many of us are hiding from ourselves, and freedom is doing its best to find us and over take us. Embrace your freedom! Take a listen, and join the journey to the Sonshine State!

This episode of the Sonshine State features three beautiful guests (Goza Parks, Brandi "Bonafyd-B", and Ms. Misha). The ladies and I discuss the state of the woman of color, and the protection that is missing from within our communities as well as from external sources. We discuss the relationships women have with each other, and how important it is to build those relationships. This was an exciting conversation full of laughter, wine, and a hilarious round of ", Marry, Kill". Take a listen, and enjoy as we journey with "Good Vibes & Gratitude".

In this episode, we speak with professional musician Alex Wasily. He speaks of his unyielding optimism and how that has helped him in the music industry. From his perspective of collaborative success to the mastery of his artistry at a young age, Wasily, shares his take on how to build in the competitive music industry. Take a listen as we continue the journey to the Sonshine State.

In this episode of the Sonshine State, we get into living a life where gratitude persists. Many great things are on the horizon for us all, and one small key to unlocking that door is through gratitude. Sonshine Wiley dives in head first to this approach, and gives examples of how it's worked for her in this short timeframe. Take a listen, and join the journey!

Nowa Fludd shares her journey through the foster care system, single motherhood, and her life now in retrospect. Through this very brave account of her life, Ms. Fludd's bravery helps us to further peek into the life of a survivor of Abandonment.

Superheroes are all around us. We see them and recognize them, and sometimes they are behind the scenes changing the world. From Brave service women/men to groundbreaking scientists creating advances to treat disease, there is so much amazingness in this world. However, there are also heroes that exist and set a standard for what can't and wont be tolerated in the days to come. Survivors of sexual trauma are not often very open as the lasting mental and emotional effects are painstakingly powerful. They too are superheroes as they have decided to take a stand and say enough is enough! In this episode, I speak of my life s a survivor of rape. This episode dives into the emotional and psychological effects many of us face. It is a very intimate episode that speaks about the ongoing strategies used to combat these effects, and encourages a healthy dialogue.

Rejection is the Silent Killer Rejection is scientifically proven to be linked to feelings of physical pain. Those of us who do not handle rejection well often tend to bury the feelings associated in order to avoid that pain. Although this is ineffective, it is a continued habit for many.  Creating a plan of action to combat those moments can literally save your life. Rejection is one of the leading causes of depression. Some are not able to recover from this, and end their lives. Don't wait until you've been backed into a corner to start preparing your home within for challenging times. Prepare now by finding things that create an atmosphere of gratitude in your life. This episode speaks to that very thing. Take a listen, and  join me as I prepare my house for storms. As we all know, eventually they will come, but we will do all we can to be prepared to love our way through them.

This is the Independence Day episode!! This episode is the first live installation of the Sonshine State with special guest Mark Smith! In this episode, we hear about the emotional experience from a male perspective. With a live audience, various opinions are expressed, and it allowed for an even greater dialogue. Topics ranging from accountability and honesty to fear of judgement and removing stereotypes. This episode had such wonderful dialogue, it was extended beyond the normal 25 min or less format. This episode is full of conversation starters. Take a listen!

Have you ever been alone in Paradise? No? Well, for the first time ever, I can say I have! The journey to the "Sonshine State" continues with this third episode! Let me tell you! All of what I've been sharing was put to the test on this trip. As you listen to this episode, I will let you in on how I decided to power through my lonesome paradise excursion. In this episode, I not only talk about my trip and those challenges, but I also talk about strategies for overcoming negative mind meditations (areas of focused thought). As we continue our journey of gratitude and wholehearted living, we will each be faced with challenges and how we take control of our thoughts and actions will determine the success of our journey. This journey requires a work that no one will do for us. Documenting moments of our own journeys, will help us all to see and celebrate small victories as they occur. As a woman who desperately sought out attention from others, putting into practice my internal safe space was a huge task but very necessary! As you listen to this episode, take a moment to ask yourself how you would react in this same scenario. Have you created a safe comforting space within yourself? Would this be a challenging self care exercise? These questions will help you uncover some pretty interesting things about yourself. This episode is an installment in the podcast centered around addressing your home within while your away from your physical home. Remember, you are the first place where love, peace, encouragement or discouragement will come. Taking moments to ensure your personal meditations (areas of mental focus) are filled with gratitude can work wonders. There is no magical potion to create this change, so making sure you take the lead on your personal journey  is a must! Great things are bound to happen, and the work you put in will be worth the effort.  We are all on this journey together, and we are taking control of our emotional health. We are real people with real problems looking for real answers and real solutions.