Hello Podfriend!

This is a short and sweet edition to say Happy New Year!

How did the festive season treat you? Are you doing Dry Jan? What health and fitness craze are we getting into this year as a society? My American friends, are you ready for the next four years?

Whew, January can be a lot with everyone declaring a new version of themselves and how this is going to be their year. Also, don’t forget the vision board warriors. Don’t get me wrong, I learned the power of vision boards back at high school leadership camps and have loved them ever since, but the performative and competitive online versions are just way too much. All the same, I hope all the goals and wishes you’ve sent out into the universe come to you. Happy 2025! 🥳

The top image this month is the iconic Space Needle in Seattle - any Grey’s Anatomy fans here? IYKYK. A big shout out to the city that gave us a soft landing during the wild days of November 2020 and welcomed our family the United States. I was homesick for you and your rain this festive season Emerald City, and for all our people who still call you home. Shall we see each other soon?

Boston! Beantown! You’ve been good to us too. Your grumpy locals are likeable in their own way. Shout out to our local auto mechanic who gave me DMV tips and tricks this past week. Beantown! It is my mission to fall in love with you this year. All I ask is that you love me back. 😬

Coming up later in this edition is a list of Top Episodes on Shades and Layers that I promised you at the end of last year. Not only have these episodes been popular, but I’ve received good feedback from you on each woman’s story. So, thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed them.

Hey, sharing is caring, so ask your friends to join our squad. If this edition was shared with you, please subscribe.

This edition features the usual:

-Studio Update

-On My Mind, as well as all the things

-Giving me Joy and Pause

Okay, Let’s go!

STUDIO UPDATE

A YEAR OF BLACK WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

It’s been a topsy turvy year by many accounts - for most people around the world - but one thing has been constant at Shades and Layers: awesome guests! And I am grateful to each and every woman who has taken time out of their schedule to share their journey. Hopefully you were touched positively by their stories and experiences on some level. Their stories are insightful and inspiring. It’s a great honor being a witness to each woman’s journey and also being part of a small moment when they reflect on their journey during our interview.

In 2024 Shades and Layers published Season 8 and 9 and featured fifteen guests. You can see a summary of the top episodes later in the newsletter. The latest episodes on the timeline include conversations with editorial hairstylist, Naeemah Lafond, pet treats brand builder and activewear designer Barbara Clarke Ruiz, art curator Palesa Segomotso Motsumi, serial startup founder Tadiwa Mwashita and coming up soon, we’ll have a conversation with natural haircare entrepreneur, Amanda Sebolai.

ON MY MIND THIS MONTH

SHADES AND LAYERS ‘REWIND AND OUTLOOK’