Let's face it, many of us have struggled with our finances at some point in time.  Whether you are overspending during the pandemic, made purchases solely based upon emotions, or simply have not yet grasped the tools to appropriate your finances.  As the New Year is upon us, I have an opportunity to sit down with Legacy Builders Insurance and Financial Services President, Lester Norwood.  During this episode, he helps us candidly understand the link between our mindset and our money.  He gives us some great financial tips, but also helps us realize the emotional connection between our spending habits including when and how we tend to spend money.  Be sure to listen to the end when Lester and I challenge all of the listeners to connect your emotions and your money during the upcoming weeks.   You can find  more financial wellness tips by following Legacy Builders Insurance and Financial Services on both Instagram and Facebook. 

Welcome to 2021 and a New Season of the ReMIND U Podcast!  At the beginning of each year, many of us set goals and and resolutions for the New Year.  Whether it's losing weight, or saving money, we often try to meet goals that can sometimes cause us more stress.  By March, we have thrown these goals out the window or become frustrated with the process.  Does this sound familiar?  In this episode, Dr. Kristie offers the idea of living life according to your values as opposed to the traditional "New Year, New You" goals.  Our values are the compass that guides our lives and helps us find more moments of joy, compassion, and meaning.  In light of the pandemic and the sociocultural struggles we are all facing, let's allow our values to guide us in this New Year!

This episode will give you all the feels!  October is Depression Awareness Month and October 10th is World Mental Health Day!  A positive support system can be helpful in coping with Depression.  In today's episode, I connect with three of my friends (Mel, KP, and Victoria)...we are actually what we like to call "Sister-friends."  In this episode, we discuss the impact friendships can have on managing stress, challenging life circumstances, and depression.  We talk about how our friendships have evolved and what we have learned through these friendships.  In this episode, you get a glimpse into how positive support can help you on some of your most difficult days.  We also address how to begin the process of developing a support system, being vulnerable, and how to find a way to see color...even on the darkest days.  It was such an honor to share space and be our authentic selves during this episode....the power of sister-friends is priceless! 

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month!  The topic of suicide is often one that can feel very heavy, and often one that we avoid discussion.  The rates of suicide continue to increase, particularly in the Black community making this episode so necessary for all of us to listen to.  During this episode, I sit down with Licensed Psycholoigst Dr. Sheronda Farrow and we discuss everything suicide prevention.  Dr. Farrow walks us through recognizing the signs of suicide, how to help those who may be struggling, questions to ask if you think someone may be at risk, and how we can normalize the discussion about suicide. This episode was created as way to inspire a discussion about Suicide Prevention and Awareness---it really is EVERYONE's business.If you, or someone you know is in need of support surrounding suicidal thoughts, plan, or intent, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for immediate assistance.  Below are some additional resources that you can review for additional support. Remember, you are not in this alone, and the world is better with you in it!Suicide Prevention Resource Center: https://www.sprc.org/National Alliance on Mental Illness: www.nami.orgAmerican Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.donordrive.com/National Crisis Line: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

If you have been contemplating going to therapy, or going back and forth about it, this episode is definitely for you!  In this episode, I sit down with Inesha Howard and discuss her current process of starting therapy.  The cool thing is...she's in the beginning stages of starting!  As a Millenial, Inesha helps us understand what issues that Millenials are facing in the midst of the pandemic.  We talk family dynamics, generational messages about keeping your issues behind closed doors, and the importance of "just starting."  In the midst of the process, Inesha candidly discusses her current journey of finding a therapist in the midst of a pandemic and all that is going on around us.  She talks about some of her personal barriers to seeking therapy, including telehealth and finding the right fit.  Most of all, she encourages all of us to hold ourselves accountable by taking the first step...and just starting. 

In this episode, we celebrate ten episodes of ReMIND U!  During this episode, we share space and honor the days in which we feel uncertain and may be prone to suffering in silence.  Together, we acknowledge some of our struggles, but also provide encouragement to help in the midst of the journey.  I share the typical process that many of us go through during times of uncertainty.  At the end of the episode, there's a message of hope, togetherness, and wellness that somehow we will all make it through this journey.  

Have you served in a leadership position? Ever feel like you have the perfect job, but feel anxious on your drive to work?  Ever wonder how you will lead people when your mental health is not doing so well? Is the role of "over achiever" no longer serving you well? Ever feel like you have difficulty being fully transparent with your team/organization about your mental health struggles?  If you connect with any of this, you definitely want to check out this episode!  In this session, I sit down with my dear Sorority sister Tennille Bowser.  As a middle school principal, Tennille helps us recognize that being a leader does not grant you immunity from mental health challenges.  She discusses how she discovered she was dealing with anxiety and gives great insight into how those in leadership positions can promote a culture of mental wellness while also prioritizing their own mental health.  She even throws in a little tidbit about how to navigate somewhat toxic work environments.  In this episode we delve into leadership, anxiety, mental health therapy, and preparing for students to return to school this upcoming fall.  Through our discussion, Tennille helps us realize the essence of true leadership...prioritizing mental health, being appropriately vulnerable with your team, creating an environment of wellness, and incorporating consistent healthy strategies to ensure that you feel mentally and emotionally well. 

As schools and colleges across the world begin the process of “opening” this fall, many are struggling to figure out how to support kids and parents.  During this episode, I sit down with my Sister in Love, Nicara McKenzie!  As a high school school Social Worker, she shares some of her experiences working with high school students. In this session, she helps us understand what children are really dealing with, especially in the midst of COVID-19. She gives parents (and all adults for that matter) important information about ways to communicate with children and to work towards opening the lines of communication, even with social media.  She candidly shares with us the importance of  "meeting them where they are, or someone/something else that is negative may influence them instead."  In addition, Nicara helps us remember the mantra "it takes a village to raise a child" and that all of us have a role in influencing the children in our community.  If you consider yourself part of the village, this episode is for you!

In this Courage to Heal episode, we focus on some challenges that men experience during their healing process.  In this episode, Dr. Kristie is joined by Lewis who candidly shares his journey with finding the courage to heal as a Black male.  Lewis talks about how he struggled with mental health issues for almost 30 years. After negative experiences in his life, he began to look inward and found the courage to heal. Lewis helps us realize that sometimes men can carry anger and use it as a crutch for navigating their internal pain.  He guides us through his relief process of learning that "all I can control is this body."  Lewis openly discusses having enough courage to seek mental health therapy and gives us some helpful tools that he has learned along the way.  Join me in honoring Lewis' courage to heal!

The Courage to Heal Series continues with episode 4! During this episode, I have an opportunity to sit down with both Kristen and Halleluya, my guests from Episodes 4 and 5! We talk candidly about how women sometimes forget to show up for themselves, and the adverse impact this can have on well-being.  In all of the roles and responsibilities, women sometimes forget to turn inward and focus on themselves.  In this episode, we talk openly about the role of friendships, boundaries, and self-care in being able to show up for ourselves as women.  If you sometimes struggle to fit "you" into your schedule, it's worth the listen!