I started Beyond the Self when I was 27 years old, recordings would be in my wardrobe in a small box room at my Mama's house, in the thick of deep personal change. I had moved back to the family home after a tough breakup. I was a couple of years into building my company, 4 years into sharing my story of sabotaging my entire life and being forced to get sober. Years into allowing my work to exist publicly. And although I had my convictions, I was uncertain, curious, and committed to growth. All of which I still am, in varying proportions.

Now, at 32, I’ve had the honour of sitting with you through some of the most transformative years of my life. This podcast has of course been a place for ideas and reflection, but it’s also been a sacred container where I could show up fully, be seen, and be met by an open-hearted, intelligent, loving community. You allowed me to be ALL of myself, even as that self changed again and again. For that, I will always be grateful.

This final episode is a gentle but potent closing chapter. It’s, as always... raw, honest, and full of love. I speak about what these past five years have meant, how much I’ve grown, what's been happening in my life as I sit here writing this, and why it feels right to let this version of things go. I also shared things that still feel very tender, but it's why we're here, right?

And while this is an ending, it’s also a beginning. A BIG one. Unthinkable Thoughts, my new show, is on its way (EEEEEEK!!!!), and I’ve never felt more ready to say the things that have been waiting to be said. Thank you for walking with me. I’ll see you on the other side.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

JOIN ME NEXT MONTH FOR The In-Between - a LIVE virtual masterclass on Sunday 6th July (replay will be available if you can't make it live):

It's for those moving through quiet or loud change. No longer who they were, and maybe not yet sure who they’re becoming. I created this for anyone who’s facing a shift. Be it subtly or deeply - and needs room to name it, honour the ending, and step gently into what’s next. I can't wait to have you in the room!

BUY MY BOOK THE THIRD PERSPECTIVE:

(also available at Waterstones, Barnes & Nobles and all major bookstores and independents - check for international delivery. Request it at your libraries too!)

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me (including if you have podcast episode requests) at hello@africabrooke.com with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!

Oh my goodness. This conversation is everything I needed, and more.

I’m joined by one of my best friends and favourite humans on this planet, the incredible Rui Liu, a child of tea and founder of Grass People Tree. We went beyond what you might expect from a conversation that centres tea (though we go deep into that too). We found ourselves going into culture, identity, ancestry, friendship, artistry, business, beauty, rebellion, ritual… all of it.

We talk about Rui’s childhood in rural China, her unexpected leap into the fashion world, and how tea became the anchor that brought her back home. To herself, to her people, and to a way of life rooted in reverence. We unpack what it means to create from truth, to honour your roots while navigating the modern world, and to stay close to the quiet, sacred things even when life gets loud. I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO DIVE INNNN!

I especially wanted Rui to tell us all the story behind building Grass People Tree. And to go into the details of why GPT is beyond being a brand, but more of a living archive of oral histories, indigenous knowledge, and living tea. We explore the difference between tea that is alive versus tea that’s been industrialised, and how language, story, and care make all the difference.

This was one of the most expansive, soul-shifting conversations I’ve ever had. Guys, I honestly felt like we were sitting in a temple, laughing and crying and remembering the parts of ourselves that are often forgotten in the rush of it all.

I just know you will love where we took this! She's also kindly given us a 10% DISCOUNT (use code AFRICABROOKE) when you buy yourself some tea from the GPT website, below. Make use of it, and you'll see why I drink this tea each time I sit down to connect.

Resources Mentioned:

The Roots of Tea (A Self-paced Course) - I have to say it again, this offering is phenomenal!

Grass People Tree Journal

GET IN TOUCH WITH RUI:

Website: Grass People Tree (discount code AFRICABROOKE for 10% off)

Instagram: @grasspeopletree / @rui.rae

Email: getsharing@grasspeopletree.com

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me (including if you have podcast episode requests) at hello@africabrooke.com with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!

I’ve been thinking a lot about the ways we convince ourselves we’re doing something noble - spiritual, even - when really, we’re just avoiding the thing that actually wants to set us free. Like last week, this conversation is personal. It’s present. And it’s pulled straight from the patterns I’ve had to face, and some I’m still facing, in real time. If you’re someone who’s ever thought or said ‘I’m just protecting my peace’ while secretly knowing that something deeper is going unaddressed, this episode is for you.

I asked a confronting question:
Are you protecting your peace, or is it just avoidance in disguise?

And I take us all through the 8 shadowy, often socially-acceptable ways avoidance hides in plain sight. I go into how we cloak it as boundaries, empowerment, self-care, independence, or emotional intelligence.

I speak about:

• The silent treatment as a form of self-sabotage, masked as boundary-setting.
• How we wear solitude like a badge of honour, when it’s actually isolation.
• The self-betrayal of over-compromising and calling it “keeping the peace.”
• The seductive nature of numbing through productivity, fitness, or “wellness.”
• Avoiding commitment and calling it “empowered detachment.” LOL
• How refusing accountability is often disguised as “not engaging in drama.”
• Dodging difficult feedback under the guise of “protecting your energy.”
• And the ultimate intimacy-killer: withdrawing emotionally and calling it space.

I loveddddd this one because I shared stories from my own life, including my past relationships, addiction, healing, and even the deeply internal narratives that still challenge me today. This episode is an invitation to look closely at the ways you might be calling something peace when it’s really just another way to avoid yourself, others, or 'the work'.

If you've been telling yourself, "I’m just protecting my peace", but it doesn’t feel peaceful in your body… this one is for you.

Let me know what lands.

Resources Mentioned:

BUY THE THIRD PERSPECTIVE NOW

(also available at Waterstones, Barnes & Nobles and all major bookstores and independents - check for international delivery. Request it at your libraries too!)

If you found this valuable - be sure to follow, RATE, subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this podcast with your pals, family, and community - let's not withhold transformation from each other.⁣⁣⁣⁣

You can also connect with me directly over on Instagram, I'd love to continue the conversation with you - @africabrooke or you can email me (including if you have podcast episode requests) at hello@africabrooke.com with the subject line 'Beyond the Self'. I can't wait to hear from you!⁣⁣⁣⁣

PLEASE NOTE: I do not give advice in DM's, emails, or comments, but I'd love to hear your feedback and know what your lightbulb moments or breakthroughs were. It also lights me up when you tag me in the screenshots of you listening, do continue!