I sit down with my best guy friend Nicholas of over 18 years! One, I can't believe we've been friends for almost two decades! It's absolutely crazy that time has flown by so fast. We talk about our friendship from the beginning to now. We talk about our platonic friendship; how we differ from other women and men friendships. We discuss how our friendship has affected our relationships with partners. What it's like to have a person that had your back that of the opposite sex. Nicholas is more than a best friend but like a brother to me. Enjoy us being authentic and real with one another.  Nicholas is in the Air Force. We met in middle school and after the first year of meeting each other; we've became and friends. Ultimately, high school is were we became best friends and I knew he had my back ever since and vice verse. We've gone through multiple milestones in life and continue to support one another and see each other grow as people! Forever grateful to have Nick in my life!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whatsnextmel/support

Are you trying to balance family, relationship, career, religion, and more? Is it starting to be overwhelming and you need someone to help guide you and give you the tools to make life a little bit more structured and flowing. I talk with Yolanda (life coach & ministry work) about balancing life through this pandemic and when we get back to "normal". We also discuss spirituality and ministry work and how the Lord has helped us find our gifts that were able to share and help others with.  Yolanda D. Mercer of Raleigh, NC is a lover of ministry, writing, and coaching individuals to discover their hidden gifts.  As a licensed educator, counselor, and elder; it is her passion to empower others through the Word of God.  As a certified Life Coach, her mission is to help you discover your gift, define your goal, and demonstrate your growth!  In this quest to release the strategies God has placed in her, Yolanda provides a coaching program to enrich others called Gift Institute, helping individuals discover and develop in their gifts.  One of her passions is to write books that will help others find peace and purpose! Yolanda is the author of “Hidden,” a book designed to equip individuals in waiting as well as “Breaking Up With Comparison,” a book designed to encourage confidence in God’s plan for your life.  Through each aspect of her purpose it is Yolanda’s goal to assist individuals to evolve as the best version of themselves! Stay Connected with Yolanda: Instagram: @yolandadmercer Website: Yolanda D. Mercer Purchase Books: "Hidden" & "Breaking Up With Comparison" --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whatsnextmel/support

Millennial Women are either are dating to find their partner and want to start a family. Or they are married and starting a family with their partner. What if they are genuinely happy being single and want to focus on their career before settling down? Should their family, friends, and society make them feel that they aren't really a women because they don't have a partner or kids at 30? Do women know that sometimes they could be the problem in their relationship? Let's dive into millennial women in relationships and dating with Jada Moore (dating and relationship coach).  A woman of Faith, an Author, Podcast Host, Dating & Relationship Coach - helping the broken woman heal from her past, and the happy woman maintain wholeness. Jada has been on both ends of the spectrum, the brokenness and now, the wholeness. She decided to create a coaching practice dedicated to helping women redefine brokenness, what it means to truly heal, and support them in their journey to wholeness. Her practice also focuses on coaching women through maintaining their wholeness and a healthy relationship. She's passionate about supporting and empowering women in life, and in love! Stay Connected with Jada:  Instagram: @JadaSharise Website: Jada Sharise Purchase her Book: "Brokenness That Made Me Whole"  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whatsnextmel/support

The most taboo topic to talk about at the dinner table! We are talking about sex! As millennials most of us are exploring sexual intercourse with our partner. Some of us are curious about sex toys, positions, and more but don't feel comfortable talking about it with our partner. Some of us love talking about sex and talk about it openly with our friends and partners. While others like to keep the sex talk more private.  I had the pleasure of talking to Shirley, who has a degree in marriage and relationship therapy. This has allowed her to teach women more about sexual education with themselves and their partner.  Shirley Dorsainvil is a conscious public speaker, award-winning online creative, and the voice of Black and Caribbean millennials navigating self-care routines on popular social spheres. She uses her expertise in relationships to navigate conversations surrounding sexuality education and intimacy exploration. It is no wonder she is the woman to watch and awarded the top 20 under 40 professional. Social Media: Instagram: shirleydor_, Hatians Who Blog Website: Shirley Dor --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whatsnextmel/support

I wanted to continue our conversation on Entrepreneurship because I believe it is a huge topic for millennials. I connected with Lauren aka Cozy Lo through Clubhouse. I'm grateful to had this conversation with her. It was absolutely amazing; we were able to connect on our age and being entrepreneurs during a pandemic. We also talk about what its like to be scared through our journey of owning our own business.  Another great point in our conversation is about following your passions and dreams. It's okay to do multiple different things at the same if it makes you happy!  Cozy Lo is a Detroit native with a passion for creating in the food, wellness, and entertainment space. Through my experiences, I strive to exemplify authenticity, help others excel, and contribute to empowering the culture through creativity. You can follow her on social media at:  Instagram: Cozy Lo, Palate2go, Elephant Room Shop for her plant based Palate cookbook  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whatsnextmel/support

The biggest thing that is being talked about is entrepreneurship. Everyone has their opinions on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.  I sit down with Elaina an entrepreneur who has started her own small business. We talk about the struggles of entrepreneurship but also the great moments that entrepreneurship brings to our lives.  Elaina Lyons is the owner of Lyons Share Marketing, LLC, an agency that works with small businesses and nonprofits to help them reach more people and expand their reach. Lyons is also a volunteer firefighter, and spends every third day on shift at the fire station. In her spare time, she enjoys writing and baking.  IG: @lyons_share_marketingllc FB: @lyonssharemarketingllc Email: [email protected] Website: www.lyons-sharemarketing.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whatsnextmel/support

Jasma Olivia has built up quite a resume during her high school, college, and professional career. As a junior at Langston Hughes High School in Fairburn, GA, Jasma founded Zeta Nu Beta, an all-girls social organization that focused on leadership, sisterhood, and community service. Active for five consecutive school years (2009-2014), the organization completed over 300+ hours of community service. Jasma then went on to earn her bachelor’s degree full-time while serving in The United States Air Force on Active Duty.  Her last duty station before separating after five years of service was in Washington D.C at the Pentagon. She was hand-selected Air Force DoD-wide to work in the Secretary of Defense Front Office. Now, Jasma has embarked on her next journey in life. She works as a Senior Consultant at a Management and IT Consulting Firm all while earning her master’s degree in leadership and focusing on her entrepreneurial goals. Jasma Olivia is the writer and author of her new book “The Things They Didn’t Teach Us” which serves as a blueprint for teenagers and young adults revealing the life skills needed to thrive in Adulthood. It was great talking to Jasma about all the things that we wish we learned in high school and college that would have prepared us for the "real world."  Social Media Handles: Instagram: @jasmaolivia  Purchase her book, "The Things They Didn't Teach Us" on her website.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whatsnextmel/support

I talk with Ebonee on how mental health has affected us personally, family, friends, and relationships.  Ebonee Gilliard is a Communications Specialist in big tech, focusing on social media and employee engagement. She has ten years of experience in communications; internal, external and executive level. Ebonee studied Journalism, Public Relations and Strategic Communication at the The University of Oklahoma, where she was part of the National Education of Women’s Leadership (N.E.W.). She also studied abroad via the American University in London and was able to partner with Journalism and Communication giants like the BBC and Al Jazeera. Her pronouns are she/her/hers and she identifies as a Texas-Bama. Social Media Handles: (Twitter & Instagram) @EboneeNicolePR Mental Health Resources:  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration  Phone # 1-800-662-HELP (4357). You can call 24/7 (English & Spanish)  National Institute of Mental Health  If you're looking to start therapy, please contact your insurance or state due to COVID, some states are providing free therapy and mental health resources.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whatsnextmel/support

Season 1 has begun and were starting with a powerful first episode. I had the pleasure to connect with Toni Hunt, the founder of Power She Holds.  "The Power She Holds, helps teach high-achieving millennial women how to create powerful relationships to unlock their life’s purpose..." (mission statement). Toni Hunt started The Power She Holds in 2018 after going through a personal journey that lifted her self worth and forced her to never look back. After graduating college in Ohio, Hunt accepted a job in Washington D.C. This move away from family, friends and everything as she knew it excited her, but it ultimately was the factor that began her growth. Hunt began to unveil the most vulnerable layers of her life searching for happiness. She discovered her insecurities, doubts and traumas. She also discovered the power of forgiveness and overall faith in God. While her journey of self discovery was one of the most challenging moments of her life, she saw the amount of resilience and confidence in herself that she had never had. She sought out on her mission to help women unlearn, forgive and rewrite for success. [Connect with Toni] IG: @powersheholds FB: The Power She Holds The Power She Holds --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whatsnextmel/support

Hi Queens,  I am excited to bring to you, What's Next Mel? a blog that has now expanded into podcast. This expansion of What's Next Mel? is all about millennial women. We are talking about navigating from our late 20s to our 30s. Come join me as we talk about starting our own family, friendships, career, dating, sex, traveling, and more! I share not only my experience as being a millennial women but other women and even men come and share their stories! I hope that my journey and others journey will help you in your navigation to 30! We can't wait for you to listen to Season 1 in January 2021!  Please visit our website: www.whatsnextmel.com  (Social Media) IG: @whatsnextmel & Facebook: Page Whats Next Mel If you would like to be a guest on one of our episodes, please reach out by email at [email protected]  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whatsnextmel/support