Disrupting Balance

022: Zanade Mann: On Teacher Trauma, Financial Instincts & the Black Women's Business Collective

September 28th, 2020  |  Season 3  |  40 mins 25 secs

career, entrepreneurship, personal growth

There is nothing like a woman with instinct, and for Zanade Mann that is one of the many elements of her ability to create community. The wife and mother of three felt compelled to walk away from teaching job after a traumatic incident. Since then, Zanade has used her gifts to establish the Black Women's Business Collective, which provides access to resources for thousands of Black and Afro-Latina women business owners.

021: It's Season 3: On the Podcast Journey, Mid-level life & This Season

September 21st, 2020  |  Season 3  |  21 mins 4 secs

journey, mid-life, podcast

If you're a mid-level lifer in 2020, I know your pain! Racial injustice, death of many heroes, voter suppression and Covid? How do you continue to inspire myself to push beyond feeling stuck in this phase of life? This episode reflects on the journey of the podcast this year, what it means to be a mid-level lifer and how this season's guests became unstuck from their own mid-level life challenges in spite of 2020.

020: H. Michelle Johnson: On The Stigma of Depression, Self Acceptance & Freedom at 50

September 14th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  32 mins 52 secs

career pivot, depression, healing

H. Michelle Johnson is a woman who has found her equilibrium. After years of following the status quo as a successful nursing executive and conquering her internal struggle with depression, she was able to write and publish her first book at 50 years old.

019: Emily P. Bingham: On Anticipating Loss, Phases of Grief & Starting a Movement

September 7th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  34 mins 7 secs

cancer, grief, healing

Emily is learning to live with loss. The fitness lover and mother of two had her world turned upside down in March 2019 when she lost her husband to Uveal Melanoma, a rare cancer. Emily shares her journey through shock, anger, anxiety and sadness to finally discover the power of healing with movement.

018: Antoinette Ellis Williams: On Being an Outsider, Myths as an Immigrant Child & Mastering Her Voice

August 31st, 2020  |  Season 2  |  37 mins 22 secs

Antoinette is the embodiment of the phrase, finding voice. Her journey began in Jamaica, and when her family immigrated to the US, Antoinette - as the only girl - shied away from being seen and heard. But an encounter with her college professor who tried to make her the joke of the class would serve as an awakening of the voice that changed the course of her life.

017: Bre Islar: On Redefining a Mother's Love, The Impact of Trauma & Walking in Purpose

August 24th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  34 mins 33 secs

entrepreneur, faith, womanhood

Bre Islar is the definition of a myth buster! The former educator, wife and mother of two is no stranger to trials and challenges. As a survivor of sexual trauma, Bre used her faith to overcome its impact and propel her life on a path of purpose.
You don't want to miss this episode on survival, healing, faith, marriage and rebirth.

016: Butterfly Barnes: On the Power of HBCUs, Navigating White Spaces & False Personas

August 17th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  25 mins 2 secs

personal development, self-love

I was honored to share this space with my 20 year old daughter, Butterfly. She gets candid about how experiences at all white schools precipitated her strong desire to attend an HBCU; and why she feels the need to be strong, revealing a personal moment where my own breakdown compelled her to embrace the narrative.

015: Gisset Renteria: On Breastfeeding, Shifting Tradition & Makeup vs. Real Estate

August 10th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  28 mins 39 secs

working woman

Gisset is a woman that is pivoting with grace. The former full time make up artist is now a corporate real estate professional and mother of two children. In this episode, Gisset shares her appreciation for growing up in a traditional Mexican family, her challenges with accepting the fact that breastfeeding was not for her, and the ever present emotion of mommy guilt.

014: Toiya Barnes: On Generational Brokenness, Ministry & Healing

August 3rd, 2020  |  Season 2  |  30 mins 8 secs

ministry, singer

Toiya is dispelling myths on her terms. No myth can overcome her belief in Christ, and what He has done in her life. From the healing of generational brokenness to a singing career that has blessed her to be a sought after musical talent in southern California.

013: Asia Nelson: On Religion, White Girls in Yoga & Chronic Pain

July 27th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  36 mins 12 secs

culture, healing, religion

Asia is a teacher on a path of perpetual learning and healing. Growing up in a small town of 7500 people, she navigated myths around religion and the role of women in domesticity. And after a back injury, Asia was forced to detach from her idea of yoga to discover a world of healing and curiosity that created a classroom beyond her expectations.

012: Elise Beckles: On Losing Her Mother, Entrepreneurship & Misconceptions of Race

July 20th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  38 mins 21 secs

entrepreneurship, loss, racial misconceptions

Dispelling myths around womanhood is already hard enough. Imagine losing your mother in your early 20s at the point when your life's possibilities are beginning to take shape. For Elise, that journey was steeped in sheer determination to be of service to others as she built her French tutoring business. Find out how she works to relieve the weight of invisible expectations, what happens when the dream expands beyond the dream box, and why Canadian views on racism have taken a turn since the killing of George Floyd.

011: Solo Episode: On Wanting White Hair, Being African & Six Figures

July 13th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  23 mins 48 secs

big myth

In this episode, I share my top ten list of myths from my journal that I wrote down last year. From childhood to coming of age to womanhood, each myth was to blame for my own limiting beliefs of myself. Releasing them and speaking them aloud has been healing; albeit not that easy. Hope you enjoy!

010: Solo episode: On Season 1, Big Myths & How to Win

July 6th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  8 mins 35 secs

giveaway, myths, new season

Get ready for Season 2 and the Big Myth campaign! Find out about my myths around stretch marks and how you can share your big myths to enter to win one of two Visa gift cards and Disrupting Balance merchandise.

009: Audrey Holst: On Mindfulness, Identity & 3-hour Tattoos

June 29th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  37 mins 27 secs

entrepreneurship, identity, mindfulness

Audrey Holst has found her calling in providing a service to to people who are untangling themselves from the externalities that are all-consuming. She is thoughtful in her strategies and shares her own practices for self care. Audrey has embraced her identity outside of the status quo and is living in her disruption with fortitude and flow.

008: Tamara Sykes: On Invisibility, Immigration & Freedom

June 22nd, 2020  |  Season 1  |  33 mins 32 secs

digital marketer, immigration, motherhood

Tamara is a purposeful digital marketer who carved her own path to success when immigration became limiting. The Caribbean-born mother of a toddler is finding her stride and identity as she embraces the imbalance of family life and running a media platform.

007: Chrissy Kohut: On Endometriosis, Surviving Death & Faith

June 15th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  42 mins 58 secs

death, endometriosis, faith

Chrissy is no stranger to using the power of faith to deal with pain. Pain that seems insurmountable to most, she has been able to channel into positivity, even after losing seven loved ones in four years. Chrissy's journey is one of miracles, perseverance and healing.