Happy New Year! And welcome to the season finale of Bet On Yourself, Sis! Today, I reflect on the first season of this podcast and express my gratitude to you, my audience and every guest. I also emphasize the importance of community engagement and mental health advocacy, highlighting episodes that can serve as resources for finding therapists and mental health professionals. This episode serves as a heartfelt conclusion to the first season while looking forward to new beginnings in 2026.

I talk:

02:47 - Gratitude and community engagement

05:50 - Mental health advocacy and resources

Episode References:

Ep. 4 - Mental Health Advice, Tips, and Resources with Marquita S. Myrick

Ep. 17 - Rejection is Redirection: Walking in Purpose with Shirlz Rejouis

Ep. 18 - Trusting the Process and Embracing the Baby Steps with Derdine Brown

Ep. 19 - Exploring Mental Health Through Art and Dialogue with Vena J

The Loveland Foundation

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December was Mental Health Month here on Bet On Yourself, Sis! That was not done on purpose, but wow was it purposeful! This month I spoke to three different therapists and had three completely different conversations, but the one thing that stood out in every conversation was the power of authenticity! So let this be your reminder to BE YOURSELF and allow everything else to fall into place!

And that's a wrap! This has been an AMAZING first season of Bet On Yourself, Sis!, and this episode #19 is a great ending! Today I speak with Vena J, Licensed Social Worker/Therapist and the Producer, Creator and Host of The Konfession Korner, a platform that provides a cognitive and communal space to discuss the journeys of Black creatives, artists and entrepreneurs as well as the importance of mental health and wellness.

In this conversation, Vena J shares her journey from launching the Konfession Korner podcast and and its evolution in all that it has become, including Kreative Keynotes and Kreative Kompany. She discusses the importance of intentionality and vulnerability in conversation, emphasizes the role of community support and engagement in her creative endeavors, and reflects on her aspirations for the future.

Together we highlight the necessity of continuous learning, the courage to ask for help, and the challenges and rewards of being in the creative industry. We focus on the need for clarity and fulfillment and the value of providing resources and networking opportunities in both personal and professional spaces.

We also explore the multifaceted nature of entrepreneurship, particularly from the perspective of Black women. We discuss the emotional challenges of rejection, the importance of authenticity in business, the journey of personal growth through alignment, and the value of mentorship and community support. Vena also shares her journey in social work and how it informs her entrepreneurial endeavors, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding in both personal and professional realms.

Episode Reference:

MVEMNT®

Black Arts District

Motor House

Skin Deep

Roe Vision

oyindaSOLA

APOETNAMEDNATE

Amira Damani

Niajea R.

Connect with Vena J! - IG @thekonfessionkorner - Website thekonfessionkorner.com - YouTube @thekonfessionkorner

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

Follow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis

Let's be real. When you think of intimacy, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Sex. Right? But intimacy is so much more and goes so much deeper than that. It's about human connection. And, let's be even more real, we could all use a little more connection these days! That is why I'm excited to share this conversation with therapist and yogi, Derdine Brown.

In this episode of Bet on Yourself, Sis, Derdine talks about her journey into yoga and the creation of her business: Sip and Stretch Date Night. We discuss the importance of community, intimacy in relationships, and the significance of trusting the process in both personal and professional growth. Derdine reminds us to embrace the baby steps, focusing on progress instead of instant gratification. And, she emphasizes the need for us ti sit in the discomfort so that we can heal.

In this conversation, Derdine and I delve into the significance of authenticity in entrepreneurship. We note that being authentic draws in your audience, while being for everyone just draw in a crowd. We also discuss the unique challenges faced by Black women entrepreneurs and emphasize the power of community and support among us. The conversation highlights the need for resilience and adaptability in the entrepreneurial journey, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves and foster connections that uplift and empower.

We talk:

05:54 - The birth of Derdine's business: Sip and Stretch Date Night

12:01 - The importance of intimacy in relationships

24:07 - Understanding different types of intimacy

36:25 - The power of authenticity in entrepreneurship

49:35 - Entrepreneurship: mindset and resilience

57:28 - Empowering Black Women Entrepreneurs

Episode References:

Hippie Heathen

Black Men Heal

Connect with Derdine! - IG @doodoodoesyoga - TikTok @yoginginmy40s - Website sipstretch.com

Connect with Pink Lady! - IG @pinkladyprod - Tik Tok @pinkladyprod - LinkedIn @pinkladyprod

Follow Bet On Yourself, Sis! on social media - IG @betonyourselfsis - Tik Tok @betonyourselfsis - YouTube @betonyourselfsis