<![CDATA[No’s Substack]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kLnX!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9a8cf2e1-07fa-4666-bb92-ce1c7afada41_144x144.pngNo’s Substackhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.comSubstackTue, 23 Jun 2026 01:35:43 GMT<![CDATA[Episode 52: How to Honor Your Inner Pop Star with Ntjam Rosie]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-52-how-to-honor-your-innerhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-52-how-to-honor-your-innerMon, 15 Jun 2026 12:03:55 GMT

What was your dream job as a child?

The easy answers were always doctor, firefighter, or racecar driver. But the coolest girls I knew said pop star and meant it. They knew what they were going to be, and I knew that they were going to stick with it.

And today, we’re talking to a real-life pop star.

Honoring your inner pop star is about honoring your truest self. It’s about being honest with yourself and not letting anyone hold you back from your idea of stardom. Whether you’re in the music industry or not, your inner pop star wants to see you shine. And in this week’s episode, we’re going to explore what that means from an actual, real-life pop star.

Ntjam Rosie, born on March 18, 1983, in Cameroon, is a singer and songwriter who has earned her place in the international music and theater world. She grew up in the Netherlands, blending her West African roots with Western musical styles such as jazz, soul, pop, and R&B. Her creative versatility and unmistakable sound have made her one of the most remarkable artists in the Netherlands. Ntjam Rosie’s music is a celebration of her dual identity: African roots and European influences. Her ability to transcend genres and tell her stories with integrity and passion makes her an inspiration to a wide audience.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about how to honor your inner pop star with Ntjam Rosie. Ntjam and I ran in the same circles in careers in the Netherlands, but surprisingly, we never met each other! Now that we’ve been formally introduced through the pod, we’re diving into how she became the star that she is today. Ntjam’s life was rarely easy, and her career wasn’t linear. But she knew herself, and she knew she was meant to be a star, and that’s all that mattered.

Tune in to hear how Ntjam became a genre-defying pop star and what it was like growing up as a Black girl in the Netherlands.

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

This week, we talked about

  • Why the numbers don’t matter as much as who is following you

  • A Christmas tradition in the Netherlands that caused outrage back in the day (and now, to be honest)

  • Where Ntjam finds her musical inspiration for her albums

  • Why Ntjam’s song “Better” means so much to Anousha as a long-time listener

Click here to listen to Episode 52: How to Honor Your Inner Pop Star with Ntjam Rosie

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 51: How Alisa is Telling Groundbreaking Black Stories with an Incredible BiPOC Production Company with Alisa Payne]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-51-how-alisa-is-telling-groundbreakinghttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-51-how-alisa-is-telling-groundbreakingMon, 08 Jun 2026 17:00:29 GMT

How will you make a difference in this world?

Not everyone wants a corporate job with decades of job stability. I mean, the job stability would be amazing, but most people in creative careers take that risk because of the impact we can make in the world. Storytellers do their jobs not because it will make them the most money, but because it’s a calling we have to answer.

And the world is better because of the stories we fight to tell.

Storytelling is an incredibly important job, especially for Black people living in predominantly white countries. We not only need to be able to see ourselves in the media, but we also need to defend ourselves. The racist structural systems that were set up centuries before us do not get taken down unless we break them down. That is what storytelling, like filmmaking, has done for so many people, and today, we’re going to speak to the woman who has made groundbreaking films for us all to enjoy and be educated about.

Alisa Payne has built a +25-year production career grounded in telling stories about Black and brown communities. From the Emmy-nominated STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING to the Emmy-nominated Disney+ series HARLEM ICE, Alisa has consistently championed work that centers marginalized voices. Her latest film, THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR, premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and became a number one hit on Netflix, defying industry assumptions.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about how Alisa is telling groundbreaking stories with an incredible BiPOC production company. After years of experience working behind the scenes of Queen Latifa’s talk show and many others, she went into business with a friend of hers, and the rest is history. Together, they have produced THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR and THE DEVIL IS BUSY. All in the name of seeking justice for Black people in America and spreading the word so that we can move forward.

Tune in to hear her career story and how she stays motivated during such uncertain times

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

This week, we talked about

  • How Alisa snagged her job on Queen Latifa’s talk show

  • What it was like producing a documentary in the middle of the worst COVID shutdowns

  • How she met incredible people like  Ta-Nehisi Coates and Geeta Gambhir

  • How projects like The Perfect Neighbor shook the nation in an election year

Click here to listen to Episode 51: How Alisa is Telling Groundbreaking Black Stories with an Incredible BiPOC Production Company with Alisa Payne

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 50: The Summer House Reunion, Narcissistic Tactics, and Navigating Sadistic Female Friendships]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-50-the-summer-house-reunionhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-50-the-summer-house-reunionThu, 04 Jun 2026 17:02:26 GMT

Your worst romantic breakup doesn’t hold a candle to your worst friendship breakup.

If you’ve ever broken up with a really good friend, you know how painful it is. To think that this person will be in your life forever, only to have them backstab and betray you, is devastating. And we’ve all gone through it at least once! So what do you do when you keep getting betrayed by the people you love the most?

And how can you move on from something so painful?

The Summer House Reunion taught us two things: that narcissistic tactics are EVERYWHERE, and that some female friendships are sadistic. West and Amanda’s behavior was absolutely appalling! So this week, we’re breaking down why this reunion was so hurtful and what you can do to protect yourself from these kinds of relationships.

Sarah Tulloch is the founder and the lead Podcast Production Manager at CCST (Content Creation with Sarah Tulloch). CCST is a boutique podcast and content production studio dedicated to supporting creative entrepreneurs with done-for-you services and proven growth strategies. Sarah helps her clients grow their reach, promote their services, and attract their ideal clients through eye-catching and consistent content. Sarah is extremely passionate about women’s stories and education.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about the Summer House Reunion, narcissistic tactics, and navigating sadistic female friendships. Let’s be real, Amanda and West’s behavior is insidious. They are trying to hurt Ciara on purpose. And if you’ve ever been the Ciara of this kind of hate campaign, you know how painful it is.

So let’s break down why Amanda and West are hurting Ciara in the worst ways possible and how to protect yourself from toxic relationships like these ones.

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

This week, we talked about

  • A full breakdown of the Summer House Reunion (with context!)

  • Why Amanda and West want to hurt Ciara

  • What a sadistic female friendship is and why they’re so common

  • Important narcissistic tactics you need to know so you don’t get trapped in their web of lies

Click here to listen to Episode 50: The Summer House Reunion, Narcissistic Tactics, and Navigating Sadistic Female Friendships

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 49: Responding to Your Comments About Neske’s Race and How She Began Her Spiritual Path with Neske Beks]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-49-responding-to-your-commentshttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-49-responding-to-your-commentsSat, 23 May 2026 16:00:25 GMT

How rebellious are you? Like day to day?

Some people are never rebellious, mainly because they don’t have to be. But as Black women, we are often seen as rebellious because of how often we have to defend ourselves. Some people push their idea of us onto us, and honestly, I’m tired of it. I am not going to adapt to someone else’s idea of me.

That just doesn’t work for me.

Our good friend Neske Beks is back, and we are responding to your comments! If you’re not following us on Instagram or TikTok (go do that now, thank you!), we got quite a mix of comments regarding Neske talking about her experience being mixed race. And while we did not agree with all of these comments, we did want to dive into the topic and all the nuances that come with being mixed race in a predominantly white country.

Neske was born in Antwerp in 1972 to a Flemish-American mother who gave her five names: Vanessa Daniella Henri Johanna Delphina, but she called herself Neske Beks —after Neske, the protagonist in her graduation solo: that’s how she reinvented myself for the first time.

After surviving 4 strokes, she reinvented herself multiple times; that’s how she started calling herself a reinvention expert.

Telling stories and supporting others in telling their stories is what she does best.

As a director, writer, coach, teacher, dramaturge, healer, or board member, always focusing on the story—your story, their story, my story, our story—and changing perspectives is key.

She speaks six languages: Dutch, English, Spanish/Castellano, French, German, and Catalan, and lives both in Spain and the Netherlands—and sometimes in Belgium. Her direct ancestry is Senegalese Flemish and Afro&Indigenous American.

In this week’s episode, we’re responding to your comments about Neske’s race and how she began her spiritual path. Some people had an issue with Neske and I identifing as Black women because that is how we are perceived, especially in European countries. But what they wanted us to identify ourselves with, just didn’t align with our lived experiences. So we’re breaking it down, as well as Neske’s journey towards her spiritual path.

Tune in to hear why race is so nuanced for mixed Black women and how Neske researching her ancestors turned into a path to the priesthood.

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

This week, we talked about

  • What other people perceive us as without knowing anything about us

  • Why Neske’s mother will not identify as a Black woman, even though she is mixed race

  • Why Europeans see us as Black first and mixed last

  • Why Neske felt drawn to her spiritual path

Click here to listen to Episode 49: Responding to Your Comments about Neske’s Race and How She Began Her Spiritual Path with Neske Beks

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 48: Reality TV, Life Lessons, and What We Can Learn from Bravo Cast’s Mistakes with Sarah Tulloch]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-48-reality-tv-life-lessonshttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-48-reality-tv-life-lessonsFri, 15 May 2026 12:00:40 GMT

What is with our obsession with reality TV?

Whether you’ve been indoctrinated at a young age or you stumbled onto your new favorite TV show as an adult, reality TV is the backbone of most women’s entertainment. We watch, we comment, and we speculate about future episodes with our friends. And we do this because reality TV makes us feel seen in a society that still tries to devalue us every single day. It allows us to take ourselves seriously while also having fun!

So, who’s your favorite Real Housewife?

Reality TV is a mirror to our real world, especially the Bravo shows. That’s what makes it so exciting! It’s a way for us to talk about our own nuanced issues without being a Debbie Downer. Think of it this way: if we sit down with a group of friends at happy hour and talk about Amanda betraying Ciarra, we can say what we mean while also still being fun!

Sarah Tulloch is back for another Reality TV episode of No Boundaries: Black Girl Magic Edition! Sarah Tulloch is the founder and lead Podcast Content Manager at CCST (Content Creation with Sarah Tulloch). CCST is a boutique podcast and content production studio dedicated to supporting creative entrepreneurs with done-for-you services and proven growth strategies. Sarah helps her clients grow their reach, promote their services, and attract their ideal clients through eye-catching and consistent content. Sarah is extremely passionate about women’s stories and education. When she’s not producing podcasts or creating content, she’s writing romantasy novels cafes all over NYC.

In this week’s episode, we talked about reality TV, life lessons, and what we can learn from the Bravo cast’s mistakes. Because these nuanced conversations are happening all around us - whether we’re talking about race, friendship, or relationships, so let’s not reinvent the wheel, and see what we can learn from this season of Bravo reality TV.

Tune in to hear what life lessons we can learn from Summer House, Southern Charm, and the Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

This week, we talked about

  • Why Amanda’s current white woman victimhood campaign sounds so familiar to you

  • How to approach a conversation about money if you have a relationship like Amanda and Kyle’s

  • How to protect yourself against microaggressions like the ones highlighted in Southern Charm

  • The beauty of Porsha finding queer love later in life

Click here to listen to Episode 48: Reality TV, Life Lessons, and How We Can Learn from Bravo Cast’s Mistakes with Sarah Tulloch

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 47: How to Live an Artistic Life as a Mixed Black Woman in Belgium with Neske Beks]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-47-how-to-live-an-artistichttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-47-how-to-live-an-artisticFri, 08 May 2026 12:03:16 GMT

Your life is what you make it.

The more I interview guests, the more I realize that this life is never easy. Life takes a lot of hard work and commitment. But above all, it’s a commitment to yourself, to be true to yourself no matter what.

What will you do with your life?

I have so many friends who have the most amazing stories. They’ve traveled the world, survived tragedy, and STILL created the most fulfilling lives they could. No matter where they started, no matter what their circumstances were, they gave themselves everything they’ve ever wanted.

Neske was born in Antwerp in 1972 to a Flemish-American mother who gave her five names: Vanessa Daniella Henri Johanna Delphina, but she called herself Neske Beks —after Neske, the protagonist in her graduation solo: that’s how she reinvented myself for the first time.
After surviving 4 strokes, she reinvented herself multiple times; that’s how she started calling herself a reinvention expert.

Telling stories and supporting others in telling their stories is what she does best.
As a director, writer, coach, teacher, dramaturge, healer, or board member, always focusing on the story—your story, their story, my story, our story—and changing perspectives is key.

She speaks six languages: Dutch, English, Spanish/Castellano, French, German, and Catalan, and lives both in Spain and the Netherlands—and sometimes in Belgium. Her direct ancestry is Senegalese Flemish and Afro&Indigenous American.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking to Neske Beks. Neske grew up in Belgium, raised by a white family, and faced several difficulties growing up. Not only was she a Black, adopted girl being raised in a predominantly white country, but she didn’t have the strongest support system for an artistic life either. Nevertheless, she didn’t let that stop her. Neske is an accomplished transdisciplinary artist, and it’s all due to the fact that she honors her younger self and her Black Girl Magic in her work.

Tune in to hear how she published her first record at 16 and how she got into the craziest clubs in the 70s.

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

Neske website: https://www.neske.nu/

Watch Neske’s movies here: https://www.neske.nu/overmijmovies/

Dutch versus Flemish: https://www.clozemaster.com/blog/flemish-vs-dutch/

Respectability Politics Will Never Protect Black Women: https://thenewfeminist.co.uk/2026/03/respectability-politics-will-never-protect-black-women/

A Funk You Playlist Straight from 1986:

What Does It Mean to be the Black Bi-Facial Daughter of a White Mom: https://sfpsmom.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-the-black-biracial-daughter-of-a-white-mom/

Our Film Tip of the Week: Waiting to Exhale with Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, and Gregory Hines, 1995. Free on Tubi. Trailer:

This week, we talked about

  • Why the Netherlands is not as progressive as it thinks it is

  • Why she identifies as a Black woman, even when European people tell her she’s not

  • How she learned to love herself by loving someone who did not love her back

  • How respecitiblity politics shaped both our lives, and our girlhood

Click here to listen to Episode 47: How to Live an Artistic Life as a Mixed Black Woman in the Netherlands with Neske Beks

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[ Episode 46: Expat vs Immigrant: What It’s Like to Be a Refugee In a European Country with Sabrine Ingabire]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-46-expat-vs-immigrant-whathttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-46-expat-vs-immigrant-whatFri, 01 May 2026 12:03:43 GMT

What’s the difference between being an expat and being an immigrant?

Surprise! It’s racism. White people label themselves as expats when they leave their wealthy countries to live in a beautiful third-world country with a lower cost of living. When people of color leave their home countries because of war, they are called immigrants and vilified for it. It can be especially heartbreaking when you still can’t go home, even if you wanted to.

Which is why we’re going to explore how to survive the separation and how to thrive in a new country with our good friend Sabrine.

So many of us are connected because of our immigration stories. Some of us move for fun, while others move for survival. This week’s guest is now an established and published journalist living in Belgium, but as a child, she was a refugee from Rwanda who was separated from her family and made to assimilate in a predominantly white country that never let her forget she was different.

Sabrine Ingabire (b. 1995, Rwanda) is a Rwandan-Belgian journalist and writer. She’s currently writing a book for De Correspondent. Previously, she was the editor-in-chief of Lilith Magazine. She also worked as an editor and reporter for NRC and as a columnist for De Morgen, MO* Magazine, and Dipsaus. Her first young adult novel, ‘Le chemin vers le bonheur’, was published in 2016, and her second novel, ‘Lotgenoten’, in 2024 (Uitgeverij Pluim/Dipsaus).

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about what it’s like to be a refugee in a European country. Just because you’re in a safer place physically doesn’t mean you don’t still have trauma to work through. On top of that, Europeans are also still racist. It’s different compared to the US and its history, but Europe is not the post-racial utopia some Europeans try to convince themselves it is. Sabrine has had to endure a ton of systemic racism as a citizen and in the workplace as a journalist.

Tune in to hear how she rose above it and how she’s healing her trauma as a refugee.

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

Follow Sabrine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingabire.sabrine/

Follow Sabrine Substack:

thoughts & things
thoughts, life, and other things
By Sabrine Ingabire

This week, we talked about

  • What it was like to flee Rwanda as a child

  • How Sabrine dealt with the workplace racism, working at the New York Times of the Netherlands, which eventually pushed her out of her job

  • What Belgium and other European countries owe to the displaced refugees they destabilized

  • How Sabrine is healing her relationship with her mother after being effectively motherless for most of her life

Click here to listen to Episode 46: Expat vs Immigrant: What It’s Like to Be a Refugee in a European Country with Sabrine Ingabire

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 45: How To Stop Being a Pick Me Girl: A Deep Dive Into the Amanda and West Summer House Drama]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-45-how-to-stop-being-a-pickhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-45-how-to-stop-being-a-pickFri, 24 Apr 2026 12:03:39 GMT

Are you a reformed pick me, or are you still deep in your “pick me, choose me, love me” era?

It’s hard to really criticize a pick-me girl because we were all socialized to be one. We were taught that men are leaders and that we as women need to be chosen by a man to be worthy of marriage, and the finances of the time reinforced that ideology. But we have broken free from being dependent on men for their money, so we should have broken free of the misogynistic ideology that we still need to be chosen by them, right?

If you or someone you know is a pick me girl, this episode is going to teach you how to break out of these self-destructive habits.

Being a pick me is synonymous with being self-destructive nowadays. If you’re choosing a man over everything, you are choosing a man over your happiness, your friendships, and even your own well-being in some cases. This kind of behavior is not sustainable, but it’s also extremely hard to change the behaviors that a pick-me thinks will solve all her problems. Which is why we’re going to break down the Amanda and West Summer House Drama to try and get a little more perspective on the matter.

This week’s guest is Sarah Tulloch, the founder and lead Podcast Content Manager at CCST (Content Creation with Sarah Tulloch). CCST is a boutique podcast and content production studio dedicated to supporting creative entrepreneurs with done-for-you services and proven growth strategies. Sarah helps her clients grow their reach, promote their services, and attract their ideal clients through eye-catching and consistent content. Sarah is extremely passionate about women’s stories and education. When she’s not producing podcasts or creating content, she’s writing romantasy novels cafes all over NYC.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about how to stop being a pick me girl by taking a look at the Amanda and West drama going on over at Summer House. Bravo shows are a great way to see where we’re at in society; it’s like holding up a mirror to each generation’s priorities. And right now, there are women like Amanda Batula who will blow up their entire lives to be chosen by a man who can’t even be faithful to her. Twice. We are Team Ciara all the way, so we also talk about her journey and amazing growth despite the misogynoir she has to deal with.

Tune in to hear what kind of coaching would help Amanda break out of her destructive habits of being a pick-me and why the patriarchy will never be there to save you.

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

This week, we talked about

  • What even is a pick-me girl, and what does that look like for Millennials and Gen Z

  • What’s new with the Amanda and West situation since our last episode about the Summer House drama

  • What your choices are as a pick me, even if you’re still infatuated with the guy you like

  • What lessons do Amanda and Ciara have to learn to break their toxic patterns

  • How to break your own self-destructive habits today, by daring to take space to heal and grow, aka self-work.

Click here to listen to Episode 45: How To Stop Being a Pick Me Girl: A Deep Dive Into the Amanda and West Summer House Drama

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 44: How Ayodele Has the Courage to Revive a Black Classical Art Form with Ayodele Casel]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-44-how-ayodele-has-the-couragehttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-44-how-ayodele-has-the-courageWed, 22 Apr 2026 12:04:15 GMT

Do you have the courage to follow your dreams?

Many people don’t! We are told not to rock the boat or make space for a new family before we ever really know what we want. But sometimes we know what we want and that we have to answer the call no matter what. Just like Ayodele did.

Have you ever felt an ancestral calling?

It may not make sense to anyone else, but it just shines this light on the thing you love the most. In that moment, you know, this is what you have to devote your life to, and see where it takes you. This is what happened to Ayodele Casel, and her love of tap has given her everything she’s ever dreamed of and more.

Ayodele Casel is an internationally acclaimed tap dancer, choreographer, and writer celebrated for her deeply expressive and narrative-driven works. A Doris Duke Artist and one of the New York Times’s “Biggest Breakout Stars of 2019,” Casel has consistently expanded the language of tap dance to explore identity, culture, and legacy. Born in The Bronx and raised in Puerto Rico, she has created several acclaimed works including Chasing Magic (Bessie Award), While I Have the Floor, Diary of a Tap Dancer, and The Remix, which was named a New York Times Critic’s Pick and appeared on its “Best of Dance 2025” list—an honor nearly all of her major works have received since 2019.

Casel served as tap choreographer for Broadway’s Funny Girl, earning a Drama Desk nomination, and co-directed, produced, and story edited Rooted, a PBS ALL ARTS film featuring Sherrilyn Ifill and a dynamic group of artists reflecting on history through performance, which received a 2025 NY Emmy Award nomination. She received six nominations at the 42nd Annual Elliot Norton Awards—the most of any artist that year—and won for Outstanding Choreography. In 2021, her image was featured on a U.S. Postal Service Forever Stamp commemorating tap dance. Casel is also a Radcliffe Fellow, United States Artists Fellow, a Herb Alpert Award winner and co-director of Operation Tap and the DLNY Tap Dance Project. She currently serves on the board of New York City Center.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about how Ayodele has the courage to revive a Black classical art form. Tap was once mainstream; old Hollywood loved the sophistication and storytelling that came with tap dancing. And while it has fallen out of fashion, people like Ayodele have the courage to go against the grain and devote their lives to this celebrated art form.

Tune in to hear how Ayodele managed to take the road less traveled and what’s new for the tap scene in NYC (here’s a hint, it might be a very nostalgic revival!)

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

This week, we talked about

  • Why tap means so much to Ayodele and who she looked up to as a child

  • What it was like growing up as a young Afro-Latina girl in Puerto Rico

  • Why being in a relationship with a Black woman feels so validating

  • Breaking news about the new Happy Feet musical in NYC!

Click here to listen to Episode 44: How Ayodele Has the Courage to Revive a Black Classical Art Form with Ayodele Casel

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 43: Scamanda, Being Ciara Miller, and How You Can Heal From Betrayal with Sarah Tulloch ]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-43-scamanda-being-ciara-millerhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-43-scamanda-being-ciara-millerFri, 10 Apr 2026 12:02:43 GMT

Amanda, come to the front of the room, we have a lot to talk about!

Are you caught up on the recent Summer House drama? Even if you’re not, we’ll give you the rundown. We have time stamps, lore, and the emotional implications of each and every action of the cast. I’ll also throw in some coaching advice, just for you!

Grab your popcorn and your wine because we have a lot to discuss!

Friendship betrayal is often not taken seriously as a relationship betrayal, but it can be just as hurtful. You may not have been romantically involved with your best friend, but she knew you and still chose to hurt you in the worst way possible. It’s so painful it’s almost too difficult to comprehend. Add race to the mix, and we have a toxic cocktail. So this week, we’re using the recent Summer House drama and speaking to a fellow Bravohead to work through these difficult feelings and social constructs.

Sarah Tulloch is the founder and the lead Podcast Production Manager at CCST (Content Creation with Sarah Tulloch). CCST is a boutique podcast and content production studio dedicated to supporting creative entrepreneurs with done-for-you services and proven growth strategies. Sarah helps her clients grow their reach, promote their services, and attract their ideal clients through eye-catching and consistent content. Sarah is extremely passionate about women’s stories and education. When she’s not producing podcasts or creating content, she’s writing romantasy novels cafes all over NYC.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about Scamanda, Go West, being Ciara Miller, and how you can heal from betrayal. Because at the end of the day, Ciara is going to be just fine. She will thrive and prosper long after this scandal is a distant memory because she is a great friend and a disciplined queen. She doesn’t need a bad friend or a bad ex in her life; she’ll be better off without them. But those initial feelings of betrayal, hurt, and constructs of race still need to be addressed before she can begin the healing process.

Tune in to hear Sarah’s hilarious commentary and my coaching advice for both Amanda and Ciara.

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

Mammy, Sapphire, Jezebel, and the bad girls of reality TV.

https://drcarolynwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2018-Mammy-Sapphire-Jezbel-and-the-bad-girls-of-reality-television.pdf

What does it really mean to decenter men from your life: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/relationships/a65013356/decentering-men-meaning/

Book by Charlie Taylor: Decentering Men, How to Decenter Men. https://www.amazon.com/Decentering-Men-How-Decenter/dp/168825238X

Can Black and white women’s friendship survive another Trump administration: https://madamenoire.com/1433131/black-white-women-friendship-trump/

Sophia Bush on allyship: https://www.buzzfeed.com/leylamohammed/sophia-bush-powerful-message-on-white-allyship

Black Women and Mental Health: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/expert-qa/mental-health-among-african-american-women

Our Watch/Listen tip #1: Beyond The Blinds:

Our Watch/Listen tip #2: Giggly Squad :

This week, we talked about

  • What exactly went down online while the cameras were down on Summer House

  • Is this a pattern of behavior for Amanda that we missed this whole time??

  • Coaching advice for the woman who’s always being betrayed

  • How to address betrayal when there’s also a racial aspect to it

Click here to listen to Episode 43: Scamanda, Being Ciara Miller, and How You Can Heal From Betrayal with Sarah Tulloch

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 42: Knowing Your Value and Making Something Out Of Nothing with Tara Turk Hayes]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-42-knowing-your-value-andhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-42-knowing-your-value-andFri, 03 Apr 2026 15:02:24 GMT

What can you do when it feels like the whole world is against you?

There are always those days that just beat you down. Your boss is being too hard on you, your co-workers are making you feel like you don’t belong, and all you want to do is clock in and do a good job! The day-to-day corporate politics of it all is too exhausting. But no matter how tough life gets, you need to know that you can always rise above it. You know your worth, and if you need some guidance, we can help with that.

Knowing your own value is your greatest strength.

Knowing your value can save you so much trouble in the long run. When you know your value, when you know what you bring to the table and what skills you have refined to be their very best, you can’t believe the naysayers. It’s impossible. And in a predominantly white institution, knowing who you are can be your greatest superpower.

T. Tara Turk-Haynes is a writer, producer, and equity strategist whose work spans stage, screen, page, and the workplace. Her plays have been developed and produced by institutions including Rogue Machine, Company of Angels, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and the Kennedy Center. Her screenwriting has earned the Best Screenplay award from African American Women in Cinema, and her fiction has appeared in publications including Obsidian: Call & Response, African Voices, and the anthology X:24.

A graduate of Lang College and Sarah Lawrence College, she has been recognized with fellowships from New York Theatre Workshop, the Not A Moment But A Movement Fellowship (CTG, Fire This Time Theatre, and Watts Theatre), and the Producers Guild Diversity Workshop, among others. She is a founding member of The Temblors, a 2021 Geffen Playhouse Writers’ Room member, and currently a member of The Kilroys 3.0. As Founder of Equity Activations, t.tara partners with organizations to embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into talent acquisition, leadership development, and organizational culture. A recognized thought leader, she has been honored by the Los Angeles Business Journal and featured on platforms including Culture Amp, Living Corporate, and RecFest. Her insights have appeared in publications including Lars Schmidt’s Redefining HR.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about knowing your value and making something out of nothing. Having a career in the arts means you either have the budget or you don’t, but either way, the show must go on. In this week’s episode, Tara shows us how much believing in yourself and having the tenacity to meet a situation head-on can get you very far in life. Tune in to hear her incredible story and the advice she has for Black creatives of all ages!

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

The Key Ingredient to Your Career Success TEDx by Janine Esbrand

This week, we talked about

  • What working in predominantly black arts spaces in Detroit, Michigan, did for her self-esteem

  • How she met her future husband

  • How to not overextend yourself even when you really want to

  • Why you can always make something out of nothing, every single time

Click here to listen to Episode 42: Knowing Your Value and Making Something Out Of Nothing with Tara Turk Hayes

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 41: Code-switching, Acting in NY and LA, and Popping Off On Pop Culture with Pia Ventus]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-41-code-switching-actinghttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-41-code-switching-actingSat, 28 Mar 2026 19:01:15 GMT

Don’t you ever just want to pop off?

As Black women, we oftentimes have to bring people into our world because they just don’t understand it. Other people don’t always see the microaggressions or the racism, or even our accomplishments, despite our circumstances. And to be honest, it’s exhausting! Sometimes, the easiest way to get our points across is to tie in pop culture references as examples. We do it all the time here on the podcast, and it works!

So grab your glass of wine and put Bravo on, for your mental health :)

Every once in a while, we’ve just got to let it out. As Black women, we are often underappreciated and overworked. And if we let it get to us, it can lead to burnout or worse. So let’s take some time to blow off some steam and let the pop culture machine do some heavy lifting for us!

Pia Ventus is a podcaster, an actress, and a pop culture guru. On her podcast, Pia Pops Off, she deep dives into everything pop culture—past, present, and everything in between! Every Tuesday, Pia picks a hot topic from the world of movies, TV, documentaries, or iconic moments in media and brings on a guest expert to break it all down. From cult classics to current trends, she covers it all, exploring the stories, people, and phenomena that have shaped the entertainment landscape. Whether it’s nostalgia or the latest viral sensation, Pia’s got you covered with fresh perspectives and lively discussions.

In this week’s episode, we talked to Pia Ventus about code-switching, acting in NY and LA, and popping off on pop culture. When we have a common interest with the person we’re talking to, like pop culture, we can establish some common ground. Conversations about racism are a bit easier when we can compare our real-life experiences with Michael B. Jordan’s pop culture experiences. It’s messy, but it works!

Tune into this week’s episode to hear more about Pia Pops Off and how she got to where she is today.

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

  • The Irish Cork accent sounds just like a Jamaican accent!

  • Jamaican Work Ethic sketch, Hey Mon by In Living Color

This week, we talked about

  • What it was like launching a podcast and planning for a wedding at the same time

  • How Pia’s family’s generosity paved the way for her acting career

  • Interracial relationships and the conversations Pia has to have with her white husband, so that he can understand her world

  • How pop culture affects our real lives and how we can take advantage of that

Click here to listen to Episode 41: Code-switching, Acting in NY and LA, and Popping Off On Pop Culture with Pia Ventus

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 40: Being the Strange Black Girl, Brave Career Moves, and the Courage to Follow Your Dreams with Nicole Terborg]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-40-being-the-strange-blackhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-40-being-the-strange-blackFri, 20 Mar 2026 12:03:41 GMT

Have you ever been the strange Black girl at your school?

It’s funny, these isolating moments, like being the only strange Black girl in a predominantly white institution, are what solidify who we become in the future. These moments help us recognize what we like and what we don’t like, who we want to be, and who we don’t want to be. And as we grow into our true selves, we have to muster the courage to defend our strangeness.

Because we are not born with courage, we have to practice it every day.

I know many courageous women in my life who live very front-facing lives. They work in media, speak directly to clients, or create art for millions to see. I believe that they are very courageous, but courage was a muscle that they had to work on in order to feel comfortable following their dreams. We can learn how to have courage by listening to the women who came before us and supporting the next generation of women who come after us.

Nicole Terborg is an award-winning Dutch journalist, documentary maker, and presenter, known for her compelling storytelling on social issues. She has worked with public broadcasters such as VPRO, HUMAN, and NTR, creating content that highlights overlooked perspectives. Her work includes documentaries on topics such as colorism and inequality. Her acclaimed series Kweekje, mi kwekipikin, which explores informal foster care, her own upbringing, earned her the Prix Europa for Best Audio Documentary and the Vrouw in de Media Award Noord-Holland, and received several other nominations. Terborg holds degrees in Journalism and in Religion and Philosophy of Life, as well as a Master’s in Journalism in the Crossmedia News Environment.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about being the strange Black girl, brave career moves, and the courage to follow your dreams. Pursuing a career in the media as a Black woman in a predominantly white country is tough. We usually don’t have a safety net or a job just waiting for us in a new city. But I have heard so many stories about Black women who followed their dreams anyway. They listened to the strange, ambitious girl inside of them and took a chance.

And this week, we’re talking to Nicole Terborg to hear how she gathered her courage and followed her dreams.

Some resources, jokes, and references we made in this week’s episode:

‘Kweekje” Prix Europa Winner Best Audio Documentary: https://www.prixeuropa.eu/news/2024/10/11prixeuropawinners-kpmw4

Why Suriname is one of the Most Unique Countries in South America:

Ali Wong, How Much More Successful Would I Be if I had a Wife:

Self-care tips for Black Women: https://www.dearblackwomenproject.com/todays-affirmation/self-care-tips

Five Minute Abundance Meditation with Michael B. Beckwith:

Watch Tip: A timeless Toni Morisson interview:

This week, we talked about

  • How Nicole’s courage led her to become an  award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and documentary maker

  • Why 50 is the new 30!

  • The life lessons her mother taught her that led her to pursue her career in media

  • Why she can have it all and still have fun!

Click here to listen to Episode 40: Being The Strange Black Girl, Brave Career Moves, and the Courage to Follow Your Dreams with Nicole Terborg

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 39: Bravo! We’re Black, Soul-Sucking Men, and The Power of the Internet with Kaya Wilson]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-39-bravo-were-black-soulhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-39-bravo-were-black-soulThu, 12 Mar 2026 12:03:19 GMT

I am so excited to introduce you to this week’s guest!

We love all things reality TV! It’s bad, it’s messy, everyone is always fighting, and we eat it up every time. And because it is that deep, we always want to go down a rabbit hole of information and culture once we’re done watching the latest episode. And that’s when we turn on the Bravo! We’re Black podcast!

Everyone, raise a glass for Kaya Wilson!

As a Bravo stan and a Black woman, I am legally obligated to introduce you to my good friend, Kaya Wilson of the Bravo! We’re Black podcast! Kaya and I became fast friends over our love of Bravo and our need to have a more nuanced conversation about race and culture while we watch our trashy TV. Even though it is inherently trashy, reality TV can give us a clear glimpse of where we are as a society, and Kaya just gets that.

Kaya is one half of Bravo While Black and the Bravo We’re Black podcast that she shares with her best friend, Aaron. Long-winded and making everything a joke as her coping mechanism, she and Aaron have started to take on the influencer industry in ways unknown after bursting onto the scene in 2022 - support or no support, we do it for the people who look like us. You can find them across nearly all platforms, but especially on Threads, @bravowhileblack.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about the Bravo! We’re Black podcast, soul-sucking men, and the power of the internet. Kaya and her co-host Arron first launched the podcast in the middle of lockdown, trying to find something to look forward to in those dark times. Their episodes got very popular very quickly, and they soon found themselves becoming people’s favorite Bravo podcast. But their popularity didn’t come without issues. Tune in to find out what it’s like to be a Black creator after all the DEI hype died down and how Kaya is managing the podcast solo.

Some resources on starting a business and finding work in this economy:

This week, we talked about

  • Why Kaya is technically a nepo baby

  • How she was able to find work with a chronic illness

  • Why we need Black voices to comment on Black storylines, like Monique’s divorce from Chris

  • Why that soul-sucking vampire in your life is intentionally making you miserable

Click here to listen to Episode 39: Bravo! We’re Black, Soul-Sucking Men, and The Power of the Internet with Kaya Wilson

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 38: First Gen Problems, Daily Nuances, and Being Mixed Race in the Age of the Internet with Sarah Tulloch]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-38-first-gen-problems-dailyhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-38-first-gen-problems-dailyThu, 05 Mar 2026 17:31:14 GMT

Can all the first-gen daughters please raise your hands!

First-gen mixed people are typically pulled into three different directions: their mother’s country, their father’s country, and the country they were born in. As an adult, you can think critically, solidify your own identity, and hold your ground against people who want to tell you who you are. But as a child, it creates a whole lot of confusion and self-esteem issues.

So, how do we get to that whole “confidence in your own identity” part? With details, please!.

We’ve been exploring Black identity from all over Europe to the USA, but being mixed and being the first generation to grow up in America can be another challenge on top of everything else. Being first gen means being asked to bring American culture into your house as a child so that everyone else can learn how to assimilate. While at the same time, being told you need to be more like your immigrant culture behind closed doors. There’s always this underlying message that you’re not enough, and that you need to work harder to assimilate because you’re an outsider. So how do you balance the two? We spoke to a mixed-race, first-gen eldest daughter to find out how.

Sarah Tulloch is the founder and the lead Podcast Production Manager at CCST (Content Creation with Sarah Tulloch). CCST is a boutique podcast and content production studio dedicated to supporting creative entrepreneurs with done-for-you services and proven growth strategies. Sarah helps her clients grow their reach, promote their services, and attract their ideal clients through eye-catching and consistent content.

Sarah is extremely passionate about women’s stories and education. When she’s not producing podcasts or creating content, she’s writing romantasy novels cafes all over NYC.

In this week’s episode, Sarah tells us all about her first-gen problems, navigating the daily nuances of her life, and what it was like being mixed race in the age of the internet. There were so many rules and nuances that she had to learn all on her own, as well as defend herself from people who felt like they could decide who she was for her. But it’s her life, and she took control of it by living it her way.

Listen to Sarah’s episode to hear all about how she found her self-confidence within multiple identities.

Some resources on romantasy, the future of intersectional genre books, and Sarah’s haircare routine:

This week, we talked about

  • How the Internet is shaping conversations around being mixed race

  • Why being “la negra” led to her being treated differently from her siblings

  • The romantasy novel she’s working on after hours, that we can’t wait to read

  • Why she doesn’t say the n-word anymore

Click here to listen to Episode 38: First Gen Problems, Daily Nuances, and Being Mixed Race in the Age of the Internet with Sarah Tulloch

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 37: Suddenly Being Black, Sisterhood, and Identity Politics in Europe ]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-37-suddenly-being-black-sisterhoodhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-37-suddenly-being-black-sisterhoodThu, 26 Feb 2026 16:02:09 GMT

When was the last time you thought about your race?

For some of us, it’s always been with us. We’ve known who we were the whole time. But sometimes our race, and the outside commentary about our race, can take us by surprise.

One little move to Germany and suddenly you’re Black.

Being Black in Cameroon and being Black in Germany are two different things. Discrimination is definitely still normalized in European countries, even in Germany and its history. Which is why people are still fighting the good fight and protecting progressive institutions like democracy wherever they go - including my baby sister Lena Nzume.

Lena Nzume (born 7 March 1980 in Kumba, Cameroon) is a German sociologist and politician from Alliance 90/The Greens. She has served as a member of the Lower Saxony State Parliament since 2022. Prior to entering parliament, she worked as a research associate at the Institute of Education at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg.

Nzume, who identifies as a Black German, spent her early childhood in Cameroon before moving to Germany at age 8. Her mother, originally from Oldenburg, worked there for a decade as a social scientist and nurse, including as a development worker in the health sector. Her father, Dr. S. N. Nzume, was also involved in development projects in Kumba.

After relocating to Germany, Nzume attended primary school in Westerstede and later graduated from Europaschule Gymnasium Westerstede in 1999. She went on to study sociology, political science, and art and media studies at the University of Konstanz, earning a Magistra Artium (M.A.) degree in 2006.

Nzume joined Alliance 90/The Greens in 2014 and has served as an advisory member of the City of Oldenburg’s Integration Committee. She ran for the Oldenburg City Council in the 2021 local elections. In the 2022 Lower Saxony state election, she stood as the direct candidate in the Oldenburg North/West constituency and was also placed 17th on her party’s state list. She entered parliament via the list. In the state parliament, Nzume sits on the Committee on Education and the Committee on Social Affairs, Health, and Equality. She is also a deputy member of the Committee on Science and Culture and the Commission on Migration and Participation. Within the Green parliamentary group, she serves as spokesperson on education policy, with responsibility for areas including labor, diversity and inclusion in schools, teacher training, vocational education, and memorial sites.

In this week’s episode, Lena and I discuss how she suddenly became Black, sisterhood, and identity politics in Europe. Growing up in Cameroon and then moving to Germany as a young girl was difficult for my sister. She suddenly became Black overnight, and her German mother had no idea that was going to happen! Nevertheless, she persisted, and now she’s working in the German parliament to make sure that democracy prevails for this generation and the next.

Some resources on being mixed race with a white mom, institutional racism in Germany, and the Lorenz Case:

  • Are mixed-race children with a white mom problematic?

  • Mixed-race children with white mothers react:

This week, we talked about:

  • Why Lena suddenly became Black overnight

  • How Lena’s parents taught her about race and what she does differently with her children

  • The current realities of German politics

  • Why I’m so proud of my baby sister 🥹

Click here to listen to Episode 37: Suddenly Being Black, Sisterhood, and Identity Politics in Europe

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 36: Nicolandria, Black Girl Magic, and Changing the Cultural Tides]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-36-nicolandria-black-girlhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-36-nicolandria-black-girlThu, 19 Feb 2026 13:01:37 GMT

Are things getting better?

Right now, everything is all over the place. But I want to take a moment and talk about how we’re doing as a community, generation to generation. I want to say that my generation has worked to create a better life for my daughters’ generation. And that includes being able to embrace our Black features instead of hating them.

And honestly, the pop culture is starting to reflect that.

Keeping an eye on the culture is a great way to assess how we’re doing as a society. We at No Boundaries, the podcast, love to keep an eye on reality TV like Love Island USA, to see what conversations are happening and which stars are moving the needle. Like, for Olandria to have all this support even after her season ended is unheard of to me. She’s an IT girl! And this week, we’re talking to another IT girl to discuss culture and her own experience as a Black woman living in America.

Remy is a Native New Yorker of Nigerian descent. She has a passion for activism, pop culture, and cinematography. In her day-to-day, she works in healthcare, connecting patients with community resources. After hours, Remy takes to social platforms, such as TikTok, to engage with a larger digital community in relation to various topics - including reality TV shows, news reports, and her random diary entries. She finds joy in “yapping” with others about whatever thought comes to mind.

This week, we’re talking about Nicolandria updates, Black Girl Magic, and changing the cultural tides. I want to say that things have gotten better from generation to generation. My daughter’s generation has more positive representation than I did, more access to education, and more role models to look up to. Olandria’s experience on Love Island has changed the cultural tides of what Black women should expect from their loved ones, and we are so excited to see her continue to thrive.

Join Remy and me for more on pop culture and embracing our blackness on No Boundaries, the podcast.

Some resources on beauty standards, history, and Nicolandria updates from this week’s episode:

  • Cashay on going natural on Love Island:

This week, we talked about:

  • Who taught Remy to embrace her blackness

  • Why being both a Black woman and African made her the target of teasing from her peers

  • Nicolandria updates, of course

  • Why it is so important for young Black girls to see how Olandria’s been thriving

Click here to listen to Episode 36: Nicolandria, Black Girl Magic, and Changing the Cultural Tides

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 35: Growing Up Mixed Race in Amsterdam, Black Hair, and Raising Mixed Kids with Carmen Bansia]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-35-growing-up-mixed-racehttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-35-growing-up-mixed-raceThu, 12 Feb 2026 19:00:36 GMT

Migration is a huge part of the human experience.

We move from country to country, sometimes for a better life, and sometimes we are moved by force. And because of that migration, where we end up and how we were raised can be completely different from our friends or family. We can have incredibly beautiful experiences, and we can have more challenging experiences. Being a mixed-race Black girl in Amsterdam is a huge part of my story, and today I wanted to talk to someone who has a very similar story.

Let us know in the comments where you’re from and where you ended up!

I am now an expat living in the US, but for many years, I was one of the only mixed-race Black girls I knew. My friend Carmen has a similar experience. We grew up together in Amsterdam, and I can say that I had a better life because of her friendship. Today, we’re going to dive deeper into her experience and what she’s had to learn about herself all on her own.

Carmen Bansia is an old friend of mine from Amsterdam. She is also mixed race, and so we connected on a lot of our shared experiences. She is an accomplished Leadership coach, a (DISC) trainer, and a consultant. She lives with her loving husband and son.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking to Carmen about growing up mixed race in Amsterdam, having 4C Black hair, and raising mixed kids all over the world. Being mixed means you are constantly learning something new about yourself. You’re learning about your own hair because your family doesn’t know how to do it, or you’re learning about how other people see you because your family has a blind spot. You learn, and you continue to learn, and eventually, you learn how to create a great life.

Tune in to hear the lessons Carmen had to learn and how she’s passing them down to her children.

This week, we talked about:

  • How Carmen’s mother dealt with the Hair Problem

  • Why she felt out of place in her own family

  • How her father blended into Dutch culture but still had pride in his heritage

  • How she helps her sons navigate being mixed race in different countries

Click here to listen to Episode 35: Growing Up Mixed Race in Amsterdam, Black Hair, and Raising Mixed Kids with Carmen

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 34: Community, a Career in Dance, and Keeping a Job]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-34-community-a-career-inhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-34-community-a-career-inThu, 05 Feb 2026 18:01:35 GMT

We’re gonna try something new.

We’re back, and we’re a little different! Our cohost Lulu is focusing on her education right now, so for the foreseeable future, the podcast will be named No Boundaries: Black Girl Magic Edition. Our host, Anousha, and sometimes a guest, will be exploring the culture, uplifting our people, and having open and honest conversations about topics that touch our everyday lives.

Let’s dive in!

Being the only Black person in the room can be lonely, but it’s not uncommon. Many of us want to explore our talents like dancing and acting, but find ourselves separated from our friends and family. That unfamiliarity can make us feel lesser than, like we need to change who we are and what we look like to fit in. But you don’t, and this week’s guest is here to tell you why.

Torya Beard is a New York-based director, creative consultant, curator, choreographer, and producer specializing in dance and theater. For over 25 years, Torya Beard has supported performing artists through all manners of administrative and production support, including but not limited to general operations, public relations, marketing, creative consulting, and producing. She is the 2022 recipient of the APAP’s Inaugural CIPA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Creative Producing and was featured, along with Ayodele Casel and Idina Menzel, in Variety and Lifetime’s‘Power of Women: The Changemakers’Special for her work with the arts-based youth development organization, A BroaderWay Foundation.

In this week’s episode, we talked about community, a career in dance, and keeping a job in the arts. Which is not an easy feat to accomplish! But Torya grew up so loved and cared for that she knew she could do anything she put her mind to - including having a dance career on Broadway.

Tune in to hear how her community kept her head up, how she grew her self-confidence, and how she maneuvered being the only Black dancer in her department.

Follow Torya on:
Instagram @toryabeard

LinkedIn: Torya Beard

Website: toryabeard.com

Helpful links for the culture:

The history of Black History Month: https://asalh.org/about-us/origins-of-black-history-month/

The Lion King, the South African composer: https://www.okayafrica.com/lebo-m-on-25-years-of-the-lion-king-on-broadway/157342

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Group, Denver: https://cleoparkerdance.org/

Book tip: This Thread of Gold https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740357/this-thread-of-gold-by-catherine-joy-white/9780593475164/?ref=PRHB7BD76FBDB&aid=14813&linkid=PRHB7BD76FBDB

This week, we talked about:

  • What a dance career in The Lion King on Broadway was like

  • How Torya worked through her insecurities while in school

  • What The Culture means to Torya

  • How we can uplift our kids while still being realistic

Click here to listen to Episode 34: Community, a Career in Dance, and Keeping a Job

Thanks for reading No Boundaries’ Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Episode 33: How We’re Dealing with These Very Challenging Times]]>https://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-33-how-were-dealing-withhttps://noboundariesthepodcast.substack.com/p/episode-33-how-were-dealing-withThu, 22 Jan 2026 17:02:58 GMT

Yeah, so, this is pretty bad.

As much as this podcast is about pop culture, relationships, and reality TV, it’s also about real life. And we’ve been feeling really overwhelmed about the state of this country. So we’re gonna talk about it, and what we’re doing to keep our heads up and keep moving forward.

To everyone in this community, we stand with you, and we will make it through together.

If you’re feeling stuck, broken down, or hopeless because of everything going on in the news, you’re not alone. This is overwhelming, and since the point of all this is to overwhelm us so much that we don’t do anything about it, it makes sense that we would feel this way. But that doesn’t mean we have to stay down.

Joy is an act of resistance, and while there’s so much harm going on in the world, your joy is how you will fight back. You need joy to resist at all, you need joy to get up in the morning and keep going, and you can’t let them take that from you. At least not forever.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about how we’re dealing with these challenging times. We can acknowledge that this is very overwhelming, while also acknowledging that we cannot lose ourselves. We will get out of this; we just have to keep moving forward until then.

Helpful links to help you get through the day:

The Daily Podcast: https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-daily?auth=login-google1tap&login=google1tap

Self-care tips for Black women; https://www.dearblackwomenproject.com/todays-affirmation/self-care-tips

Spiritual but not too much, Michael Beckwith Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLYKOkaxwiRTwk7KEl1_a-ifGGBMBv52T

Social Filma App Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/

Instead of doom scrolling, try micro learning with the Deepstash app: https://deepstash.com/

Online Book Clubs: https://bookclubs.com/join-a-book-club/online

What can you do? Check ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/

A good news Instagram account for your daily dose of hope: @goodgoodco https://www.instagram.com/goodgoodgoodco/

This week, we talked about:

  • Helpful little habits that go a long way

  • How to stay educated without getting overwhelmed

  • Why spending all day feeling guilty will not help anyone

  • What you can do to pick yourself up right now

Click here to listen to Episode 33: How We’re Dealing with These Very Challenging Times

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