We're still on a break but I woke up inspired to have a little yap session with you all because I miss you! I've recently gotten some skincare birthday gifts and purchases and I wanted to talk about them with y'all.

Watch the youtube video here - https://youtu.be/uGLjpkKr_T8

I've also been thinking about this insane mess this administration has gotten everyone into and the terrifying things he'd been saying and doing. I don't have the expertise to talk too in depth about it, but I felt like I had to say something. I have been listening to these podcasts for more perspective and I encourage you to take a listen:

• Bad Faith - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ChLoSMrOmXABeIYcwXcDP
• Useful Idiots - https://open.spotify.com/show/5BpYXlVorOw5FZ9pfpu7ff
• The Dugout - https://open.spotify.com/show/15CpGdYF2IyVBHe3GCt2Lc
• Higher Learning - https://open.spotify.com/show/4hI3rQ4C0e15rP3YKLKPut

If you're new here, check out seasons 1 and 2 in this feed. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• meli@makingmepod.com

WHEN THE LIGHTS COME UP by Melissa L. Clay - Now available here!

You can watch this episode on Youtube.

Some themes this story explores are finally asking the questions to start finding yourself, friendship, dating, and navigating church hurt. There's more and this is just the beginning of the main character Jackie's journey!

I would love it if you buy my book to share in the experience I created. Support Black authors always and especially during Black History Month.

Short story synopsis -

Jackie has always done everything right. She followed the rules, served at church, kept her promises, and waited for the love story she was told would come. But now, in her thirties, living in Chicago with a job she tolerates and a faith that's starting to unravel, she can't help wondering what doing everything "right" has really gotten her. Follow along as Jackie begins a journey inward. With her outspoken best friend Gloria by her side, she starts asking the questions that good girls aren't supposed to ask. Told with humor, honesty, and heart, When The Lights Come Up follows Jackie as she learns to face herself in the mirror, challenge the beliefs that once defined her, and step into a life that feels like her own.

If you're new here, check out seasons 1 and 2 in this feed. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• meli@makingmepod.com

Joining me today is my guest Pablo from Sarcarragance Media Group! We met at the Afros & Audio podcast festival and I knew I had to have him on my show. Come be encouraged as Pablo talks about how he got started in podcasting, his childhood, and stick around for his final piece advice to "Smile, keep moving forward, and you can do it!"

Follow Pablo on social media and check out his website -

• https://www.instagram.com/sarcarrogance
• https://www.tiktok.com/@sarcarrogancemedia
• https://www.sarcarrogance.com/
• Sarcarrogance@gmail.com

I'll be dropping solo episodes, as well as episodes with guests, via audio and video! Watch this guest episode here - https://youtu.be/N_8PhIy7o08

If you're new here, check out seasons 1 and 2 in this feed. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• meli@makingmepod.com

Welcome to the season three's first guest episode with The Arie Iman! Join us as we talk about becoming more secure, content, and confident, we get into the importance of asking for help, and we have many laughs along the way!

Follow Arie on IG - https://www.instagram.com/thearieiman/

I'll be dropping solo episodes, as well as episodes with guests, via audio and video! Watch this guest episode here - https://youtu.be/Mmo7a6CF4S0

If you're new here, check out seasons 1 and 2 in this feed. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• meli@makingmepod.com

I'm back for another BOOK CORNER! I've been reading more than I typically read so I want to share some books I've been enjoying. This will be a bi-monthly series! Check back for future recommendations.

I'll be dropping solo episodes, as well as episodes with guests, via audio and video! Watch this episode here - https://youtu.be/Tzu4hupyB5I

POD CORNER - Podcast Recommendation - Leaving the Theater https://www.ohitsbigronstudios.com/leaving-the-theater

If you're new here, check out seasons 1 and 2 in this feed. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• meli@makingmepod.com

Dating can be tough out in these streets and the way I've been coping lately is to control what I can control, meaning that I can only control myself and how I show up. My therapist recommended group therapy with other single women who are dating intentionally, and I talk about my experience here! What's something in your life where you're showing up intentionally?

I'll be dropping solo episodes, as well as episodes with guests, via audio and video! Watch this episode here - https://youtu.be/vGDQjtqGJZc

POD CORNER: Podcast Recommendation - Bad Faith -https://www.youtube.com/@BadFaithPodcast

If you're new here, check out seasons 1 and 2 in this feed. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• meli@makingmepod.com

I've been learning that if I start to be creative in one area of my life, it snowballs into other areas of my life and makes continuing on the creative path easier. Do you have anything in your life where you've seen this?

I'll be dropping solo episodes, as well as episodes with guests, via audio and video! Watch this episode here - https://youtu.be/EjD5371C_W0

POD CORNER: Podcast Recommendation - We Was Watching Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@WeWasWatching

If you're new here, check out seasons 1 and 2 in this feed. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• meli@makingmepod.com

Here's a cute little catch up on what's been going on with me lately. Also, can y'all believe it's the holidays already??

I'll be dropping solo episodes, as well as episodes with guests, via audio and video! Watch this episode here - https://youtu.be/mk7hSXbry2o

POD CORNER: Podcast Recommendation - New York Times Modern Love https://www.nytimes.com/column/modern-love

If you're new here, check out seasons 1 and 2 in this feed. If you've been here and a subscriber, thank you for sticking with me! It means so much to me and I hope we can connect this season.

Follow me on social media:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmepod
• https://www.instagram.com/makingmepod/

Check out my website:

• https://makingmepod.com/

Email me:

• meli@makingmepod.com