What does it really mean to show up for a friend in their hardest season?In this episode, I sit down with Sethlina Amakye for an honest conversation about grief, friendship, boundaries, and support. After experiencing the loss of her child, Sethlina shares how that season reshaped her understanding of community, vulnerability, and the people who stay when life becomes difficult.We talk about the pressure of finding the right words, why presence often matters more than perfection, and how grief can change the way we connect with others. Sethlina also reflects on learning to receive support, navigating changing friendships, and building relationships rooted in grace, patience, and honesty.Whether you're supporting someone through loss or simply thinking more deeply about the relationships in your life, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that meaningful friendship is often built in the moments that matter most.Sethlina Amakye is an interior designer, speaker, and creative entrepreneur whose work is rooted in helping people create spaces that feel intentional, beautiful, and deeply personal. Through her own journey of loss and healing, she continues to encourage others to embrace vulnerability, resilience, and authentic connection.oin our Dinners www.seatedwithstrangers.comCollaborate with us: [email protected]

Unlock the secrets to mastering your signature scent with Shamira from the Virginia Scent Society. In this episode, we dive into the art of fragrance selection, offering practical tips for building a versatile perfume collection that adapts to your mood, season, and occasion. Shamira shares her favorite budget-friendly decants and tips for finding your signature scent without breaking the bank. Whether you're a fragrance beginner or a scent enthusiast, this episode provides the clarity and confidence you need to elevate your scent game. Join our Dinners www.seatedwithstrangers.comCollaborate with us: [email protected] with our guest: (1) Instagram

In this episode I sat down with Fawnne to gain some perspective on aging as a woman and what to expect. We explore self-compassion, the importance of taking risks, and the process of reinventing oneself as you age. This conversation also touches on establishing non-negotiables in relationships, embracing changes in appearance, financial wisdom, and the physical changes that come with aging. The conversation concludes with practical advice for younger generations on navigating the aging process with grace and confidence.Join our Dinners www.seatedwithstrangers.com Collaborate with us: [email protected] Connect with our guest: Instagram

In this episode, Shivawn and Ashtyn explore the concept of living a soft life, discussing the importance of vulnerability, emotional boundaries, and the need for rest. They reflect on personal experiences that shaped their understanding of softness and how it contrasts with survival mode. The girl talk emphasizes the significance of self-acceptance and the power of saying no to protect one's softness.Join our Dinners: www.seatedwithstrangers.com Collaborate with us: [email protected] Connect with our Guest: Instagram

In this episode we attempt to identify what it means to have reciprocal friendships and if we're really expecting our friends to show up exactly the way we do for them. We explore the complexities of reciprocal friendships, discussing the expectations we place on friends, the importance of communication, and how to navigate the challenges that arise when those expectations are not met. We emphasize the need for boundaries, understanding, and the ability to grow and change within friendships, ultimately encouraging our listeners to ask the right questions to develop healthier relationships.Join our Dinners : www.seatedwithstrangers.com Collaborate with us: [email protected] Connect with our Host: www.shivawnmitchell.com

In this episode of Seated With Strangers, host Shivawn and guest Shenelle discuss the loneliness epidemic, exploring personal experiences of moving to a new city, building community, and coping with feelings of loneliness during the holidays. They delve into the complexities of friendships across different life stages, the importance of communication, and the various types of loneliness. The conversation emphasizes the need for community, support, and understanding in relationships, while also addressing the challenges of being an introvert in social settings. Ultimately, they encourage listeners to embrace curiosity and adventure in their lives to foster connections.Chapters02:56 Building Community in a New City06:04 Navigating Loneliness During the Holidays08:58 Friendship Dynamics and Life Stages 12:00 Understanding Different Types of Loneliness14:53 The Impact of Hyper Individualism on Relationships30:11 The Burden of Being a Friend 39:02Introversion vs. Extroversion: Finding BalanceDid you enjoy this episode? Let us know by leaving a rating and review on Apple  or Spotify. It'll take less than a minute.Want in on our community with other strangers & experience our popup dinner parties join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠list⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquires. Follow our Producer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivawnmitchell

In this episode of Seated With Strangers, host Shivawn and guest Deana explore the themes of curiosity, community, and self-care, particularly from the perspective of Black women. They discuss the importance of vulnerability in friendships, the challenges of navigating survival mode and the role of therapy in personal growth. Deana shares her journey in the wine industry and how it intersects with her faith, while also emphasizing the need for community and connection in today's society. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace curiosity and take steps towards building meaningful relationships.Chapters06:01 Navigating Survival Mode as a Black Woman14:44 Reinventing Identity Post-Pandemic18:23 Curiosity and Vulnerability in Community Engagement22:02 Navigating Personal Struggles and Vulnerability25:11 The Dynamics of Friendship and Community36:16 The Importance of Receiving and ReciprocityDid you enjoy this episode? Let us know by leaving a rating and review on Apple  or Spotify. It'll take less than a minute.Want in on our community with other strangers & experience our popup dinner parties join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠list⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquires. Follow our Producer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivawnmitchell

On this episode of the Seated with Strangers podcast, host Shivawn and guest Taniqua Price explore the complexities of personal growth, entrepreneurship, and the pressures of societal expectations. They discuss Taniqua's journey from hairstylist to studio owner, the emotional challenges of navigating life’s timelines, and the importance of self-compassion and community support. The conversation delves into the impact of social media on self-perception, the grieving process for unfulfilled dreams, and the significance of romanticizing everyday life. Did you enjoy this episode?Let us know by leaving a rating and review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It'll take less than a minute.Want in on our community with other strangers & experience our popup dinner parties join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠list HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquires. Follow our Producer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivawnmitchell

On this episode of the Seated with Strangers podcast, host Shivawn Mitchell and guest Porlan Cunningham discuss the nuances of friendship etiquette, particularly in the space of adult friendships. They explore the importance of intentionality, communication, and setting boundaries while navigating new friendships. The conversation also touches on the challenges of making friends as adults, the dynamics of work friendships, and the role of social media in maintaining connections. Additionally, they address a listener's question about the appropriateness of using AI-generated messages in sensitive situations like bereavement. Overall, the episode emphasizes the significance of being intentional and communicative in building and maintaining meaningful friendships.Want to support us beyond the podcast? Did you enjoy this episode?Let us know by leaving a rating and review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It'll take less than a minute.Also, please take a moment to share what you'd like for us to cover next on the show. Request a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcast episode here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want in on our community with other strangers & experience our popup dinner parties join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠list HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquires. Follow our Producer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seatedwithstrangerspod/

In this episode of Seated with Strangers, hosts Shivawn and guests Brandy Anderson and Erica Linney discuss are we getting comfortable with being mean girls? Does our representation in media shape an individuals' sense of identity and belonging, particularly for marginalized groups. This podcast episode highlights several key points that underscore how mean girls impact us in media and real life. During this episode we covered: 00:02:13 - Giving Flowers to Each Other00:03:56 - The Era of Mean Girls in Media00:04:08 - Feeling Seen in Media00:10:00 - Are We the New Mean Girls?00:13:03 - Jealousy and Scarcity Mindset in Media00:19:08 - Keyboard Warriors and Online Behavior00:26:56 - Learned Behavior and Social Media Negativity Want to support us beyond the podcast? Did you enjoy this episode? Let us know by leaving a rating and review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It'll take less than a minute. Also, please take a moment to share what you'd like for us to cover next on the show. Request a⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcast episode here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want in on our community with other strangers & experience our popup dinner parties join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠list HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Email [email protected] for brand partnerships and business inquires. Follow our Producer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seatedwithstrangerspod/