In this soulful and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. NicoleTaylor and host Dawn Hunter unpack the stories we grow up with about work, productivity, and success. From childhood dreams of fashion design to reflections on race, rest, and resistance, Nicole shares how shoes, hair, color, and community are more than aesthetic choices—they’re declarations of freedom.

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to express your whole self or questioned what legacy you want to leave, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

• The inherited narratives about work, success, and productivity

• Fashion, footwear, and the cultural meaning of shoes
• Self-expression through hair, clothing, and color
• The tension between purpose and paycheck
• Shifting from a hustle mindset to one of joy and abundance
• Finding wholeness through community and intentionality

Keywords

Black Girl Magic, Community, Legacy, Empowerment, Social Change, Fashion, Self-Expression, Productivity, Intentionality

📂 Section Markers

01:20 Section 1: Productivity, Purpose, and the Stories WeInherited

21:40 Section 2: Style, Self-Expression, and Black GirlMagic

39:43 Section 3: Time, Presence, and Living a Legacy of Joy

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Reflections on Productivity

03:43 The Impact of Upbringing on Career Choices

06:39 Navigating Expectations and Dreams

09:32 The Significance of Shoes in Identity and Culture

12:13 Expressing Identity Through Fashion and Style

17:33 The Role of Hair and Makeup in Self-Expression

22:40 Seasonal Reflections and Life Balance

25:35 Finding Joy in Everyday Life

28:31 The Importance of Mindfulness and Awareness

31:09 Slowing Down and Appreciating Life

40:03 Constructive Feedback and Accountable Leaders

42:22 Navigating Career Challenges and Employment

44:17 Defining Legacy and Life's Purpose

53:26 Don't Take Time for Granted

💬 Quotes to hold on to:

• “Time is not promised. Consider how you spend every minute—now.”
• “My legacy is that I enjoyed every day. That’s my Black girl magic."
• “You don’t need your world to be perfect to help someone else in theirs.”
• “Being still is a science. And joy is a form of freedom.”

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Better Boundaries Brief @ www.thedawnlab.com📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife