In this episode, Abeni walks the audience through how taking up space often involves following through with intuition, even if it doesn't make sense. Our bodies are always in constant communication. The body knows things the mind doesn't. Taking up space can sometimes mean being sure and strong amongst your own boundaries. The outcome is often breakable if we let our boundaries become flimsy and fragile. Abeni realizes that she has made transgressions against her boundaries by not trusting herself, not speaking up, and not standing firm in relationships. As a result, she has made a promise to herself to trust her intuition, and her body - even if it doesn't make sense to others.

Poet, author and mental health advocate Eduardo Reyes joins Unpretty to discuss love and forgiveness. Eduardo engages in a candid conversation with host, Abeni, about his childhood and personal experiences about relationships, family and grief. Forgiveness isn't always easy and love comes in all forms but Eduardo expresses his views on what it's like to be faced with tragedy all the while trying to navigate relationships. Tune in to hear his beautiful poetry and his story. His books Journey Through The Void Vol 1 and Vol 2 AND Love, Sex, Intimacy and Understanding are available to purchase on Amazon. Go get your copy today! Follow him on instagram @reyes562 https://www.amazon.com/Love-Intimacy-Understanding-Eduardo-Reyes/dp/B09RG47SSQ https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Through-Void-Eduardo-Reyes/dp/1073572625

In this episode of Unpretty, the podcast, Ábeni goes down memory lane as she refers back to one of the only times she truly felt loved by a partner. As she reads old letters from a young first love, the blast from the past reminds her what it felt like to be loved by someone unconditionally. This is her only reference of what love is or could be. She had forgotten what it felt like to be in a reciprocal love and a healthy balanced connection. Ábeni realizes that she loves deeply. Especially in small intimate moments AND through letters. This reminder is sweet and hopeful, bringing in a new light and perspective. Don’t forget to tune in! Pre-warning, the Abeni lagrimas do come out in this episode.

In this episode, Ábeni shares her difficulty with recurring negative thoughts that often won't go away. She goes into some background of betrayal trauma and its affects on the brain. Studies from Stan Tatkin show that the brain can suffer from PTSD symptoms from a relationship betrayal. A full interview featuring Stan Tatkin can be found on the Helping Couples Heal Podcast. Enjoy the episode and don't forget to leave feedback! Thank you!

On this episode of Unpretty: Abeni explains her spiritual and emotional relationship with the land around her. She realizes that not only has she had important life experiences in nature/ land but that it’s always been there to take care of her even at her lowest/darkest point of pain. The beautiful California land has never wavered or left her hanging. If fact, it’s carried her when she could no longer walk. Tune in to hear more! Remember to rate and review the pod if you like what you hear!!

Abeni goes into her relationship with beauty. She reflects on her need for validation from other and the judgment she has felt from experiences that have made her feel unworthy. There has been a great journey she has made from a time of great insecurity and darkness. Now she is rediscovering her beauty her own way — whether that be physically or emotionally. Abeni wants to wear her beauty as her strength and armor. Enjoy this episode and don’t for forget to rate, review and suscribe.

In the next chapter of Unpretty, Abeni explores what it means (to her) to feel and look beautiful. Her healing has brought upon changes and a new perspective of beauty. As she reconnects with her physical and inner beauty, she sees just how far she has come. As she changes on the outside, she changes on the inside as well. With a new appearance, she witnesses the person she is becoming and loving every moment of it. There is still a long road ahead, but the journey is becoming fun and bright.

Unpretty welcomes another amazing guest Natalie Garcia! Natalie is the author of the book CÓSMICA — A POETRY AND MAGICAL RITUALS BOOK. She is also a beauty & fashion publicist, a spoken word performer and a single mami. Natalie joins Abeni to discuss online dating, magic and cultural expectations. Natalie and Abeni realized they may be breaking generational curses by examining their pain through a creative outlet as artists & writers. Press that the play button and tune in!! Welcome to Unpretty, the podcast!

Unpretty The Podcast welcomes ZZAY to show! The rising Hip Hop artist, writer and singer hashes out unpretty moments with host Abeni. Whether it has to do with creativity, love or the pandemic, ZZAY gets personal about her relationships and much more. Tune in to hear about overcoming trauma, pain or even personal pressures/expectations. Abeni & ZZAY realize they are not that different when comes to love, turmoil and learning to  get back up when knocked down. Don't miss this episode! ❤ Check out Zzay's music on all streaming platforms. https://open.spotify.com/artist/4OmQBmzk5dKNjkC5MaBA

Abeni reads a short story she had written when she was just 15 years old. The story embodies the entanglement of relationships, the facade it can turn into and the toxicity it can bring up. The narration is eerie and strange but it contains important symbolism and nuances on how relationships can form out of good intentions and spiral into confusion and emotional paralyzation. The teenage Abeni was able to see and pin point these nuances and creatively put them on paper. Cool Sheets is a story and an explanation of how humans have a tendency to connect to one another when they are individually living in darkness. This is Cool Sheets. Hope you all enjoy the story!