It’s the end of season two of You Better! This episode features a compilation of Kiesha's reflections, questions, and conversations with this season’s guests.

If you’ve listened to season two, enjoy returning to the most powerful moments from these episodes. And if you’re tuning in for the first time, let this compilation point you to some must-listen episodes for your podcast queue.

Make sure you listen to the end of the episode to hear about her new project Hey, Black Seattle!

Episode Resources:

• Hey, Black Seattle!

Contact Info:

• Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.co
• Follow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrison
• Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrison

Directly support the podcast financially:

• Cash App
• Venmo
• PayPal.Me

In this inspiring final interview of the season, Kiesha talks with Rhonda Joy McLean, a celebrated attorney, entrepreneur, leadership consultant, and co-author of The Little Black Book of Success.

Rhonda shares her family heritage and pivotal life lessons, including her experience of integrating a school at age thirteen in the Jim Crow South.

Kiesha and Rhonda also discuss high achievement, depression, and mental health — making this episode a must-listen for anyone wondering how successful individuals prioritize their mental and emotional well-being.

Rhonda is a phenomenal human who offers her wisdom with an open heart. She is sisterhood with a capital “S”. Tune in to learn from her story!

Episode Resources:

• Visit Rhonda’s Website
• Follow Rhonda on Instagram
• Follow Rhonda on LinkedIn
• Buy The Little Black Book of Success

Contact Info:

• Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.co
• Follow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrison
• Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrison

Directly support the podcast financially:

• Cash App
• Venmo
• PayPal.Me

In this moving and thought-provoking interview, Kiesha talks with poet and educator Dr. Lauri Conner. Together, they explore the value of personal reflection in shaping character and discuss freer, more open-minded ways to think about education. Dr. Conner also reflects on her young life and shares some vulnerable and difficult lessons she learned, leading to a discussion on the importance of compassion & accountability.

Dr. Conner is a Cave Canem fellow whose poems have appeared in Calyx, Seattle Review, and other journals and anthologies. She holds a Ph.D. and an MFA from the University of Washington and has taught at Cornish College of the Arts, Antioch University, Seattle Central College, and Seattle Academy. Now, as the Head of School at Lake Washington Girls Middle School, Dr. Conner uses her past experiences to help understand and shape her students for the better. Her inquisitive spirit, love for Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, and ability to share what she’s learned make this an episode you don’t want to miss!

Episode Resources:

• Follow Dr. Lauri Conner on LinkedIn
• Order *Song of Solomon* by Toni Morrison

Contact Info:

• Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.co
• Follow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrison
• Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrison

Directly support the podcast financially:

• Cash App
• Venmo
• PayPal.Me

In this episode, Kiesha is joined by Dr. Amber Thornton, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Default Parenting + Millennial Motherhood Wellness Expert, and the Founder of Balanced Working Mama, where the mission is to support millennial mothers in creating a life of more balance and wellness.

It is important that we - for our individual and collective wellbeing - break free from confining social norms and cultural conditioning that don’t serve us.  And this is why Dr. Amber is a person I appreciate deeply because that is exactly what she helps people do. Her current teaching is focused on undoing the prevalence of default parenting syndrome.  Tune in to learn how default parenting can lead to a type of life that makes it easy to lose yourself and your dreams.  

Together, we discuss the power of crafting a life that includes space for you to learn yourself and to have what you need to thrive. We also highlight the importance of effective communication and questioning societal expectations.

You better tune in and learn more about supporting the parents in your community!

Episode Resources:

• Visit Dr. Amber’s Website
• Follow Dr. Amber on Instagram
• Follow Dr. Amber on TikTok
• Listen to the Balanced Working Mama Podcast

Contact Info:

• Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.co
• Follow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrison
• Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrison

Directly support the podcast financially:

• Cash App
• Venmo
• PayPal.Me

In this solo episode, Kiesha reflects on why we should love all parts of ourselves and live our layers.

She explores a few common ways we lose touch with ourselves. And offers suggestions for returning and reconnecting, time and time again.

She also shares an exercise for figuring out when and where you’re denying yourself so you can connect with your ideal self and your most supportive community.

Grab some pen and paper, then tune in to learn how to love your layers. And if you want to share anything that comes up, find Kiesha on social media @kiesha_garrison.

Contact Info:

• Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.co
• Follow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrison
• Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrison

Directly support the podcast financially:

• Cash App
• Venmo
• PayPal.Me

At the height of her career, Celine Brozovich was experiencing severe health issues and fell into a deep depression that pushed her to the edge of her life. After watching her mother battle similar issues with little success, she decided to make matters into her own hands by becoming a Lifestyle Medicine Coach.

Celine is the founder of Baykenji Health and the creator of the E.L.M. tree method for improving your Emotional Intelligence, Lifestyle Medicine, and Mindset. She believes in helping people achieve health and happiness through self-acceptance, good nutrition, reconciliation, and movement.

Together, Kiesha and Celine discuss Celine’s six pillars of nutrition, as well as many of her tried-and-true best practices for a happy, healthy life. Ultimately, Celine strives to contribute to healing and encourages listeners to slow down, appreciate what they have, and focus on helping others. You better tune in to learn how!

Episode Resources:

• Visit Celine’s Website
• Follow Celine on LinkedIn
• Check Out Celine’s Favorite Resources

Contact Info:

• Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.co
• Follow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrison
• Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrison

Directly support the podcast financially:

• Cash App
• Venmo
• PayPal.Me

To connect with host Kiesha B. Free, visit kiesha.org

Have you ever wondered if music could help you heal? In this episode, Kiesha is joined by Stephanie Ann Ball to discuss just that.

Stephanie is a professional classical singer who performs in curated concerts across the country, as well as a sound meditation facilitator who holds space for people to hear healing sounds. She is also a Certified Hypnotherapist and Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Mental Emotional Release.

Together, they discuss how post-college and mid-Covid anxiety led her to take a non-traditional path in the world of performance and sound. They also discuss the struggles of being visible in our daily lives and how Stephanie learned to let music come through her without trying to control it.

Episode Resources:

• Visit Stephanie’s Website
• Follow Stephanie on Instagram
• Follow Stephanie on LinkedIn

Contact Info:

• Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.co
• Follow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrison
• Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrison

Directly support the podcast financially:

• Cash App
• Venmo
• PayPal.Me

In this fun and inspiring episode, Kiesha and Bernice Ye discuss how sometimes we must go against everything we’ve been taught to find the path that fits who we are. Together, they unpack how embracing your unique perspective is a key to a happy life.

Bernice is a comedian, first generation Chinese-American, and producer of the multicultural comedy show Fine Imports in Santa Monica, CA. In her journey to living as her true self Bernie has boldly rejected confining cultural norms to take ownership of her path forward. From an intense and demanding Chinese grade school education, to her initial distaste for public speaking, to embracing standup comedy as part of her skincare routine— her life is full of delightful twists and turns.

Bernice lives by the mantra “rules are suggestions” and that shows in her willingness to be courageously unique in everything she does and in the stories she tells in this episode. You better tune in to hear about it!

Episode Resources:

• Visit Bernice’s Website
• Follow Bernice on Instagram
• Follow Fine Imports on Instagram
• Follow Bernice on Twitter

Contact Info:

• Email hosting & speaker booking inquiries for Kiesha to info @ kieshagarrison.co
• Follow Kiesha on LinkedIn: @kieshagarrison
• Follow Kiesha on IG: @kiesha_garrison

Directly support the podcast financially:

• Cash App
• Venmo
• PayPal.Me

To connect with host Kiesha B. Free, visit kiesha.org