This is it - the Season 2 finale of Hard Wig, Soft Life.

11 months ago, I started this podcast not knowing if I had anything valuable to say. I just knew I wanted to share my story - from being a felon who faced jail, eviction, and homelessness to building a life I'm proud of.

Season 2 became so much more than that. I trademarked the name (by myself, no lawyer). I got invited to speak at events. I moderated a panel at Nike Wellness Collective. I'm heading to Atlanta for a speaking engagement. This little idea kept growing.

But the real growth happened behind the scenes. Watching myself back on camera forced me to confront things about myself I didn't even realize - how I respond to trauma, how I've spent my life trying to be palatable, how I hide behind my guests instead of showing up fully as myself.

Therapy every two weeks alongside releasing episodes every two weeks? That combination exposed everything. I'm unlearning the need to assimilate. I'm learning to show up unapologetically. I'm embracing my accent, my directness, my authenticity - not as a buzzword, but as who I actually am.

This season taught me:

• Empty the clip on your ideas, even when it feels cringey
• Growth isn't linear and that's okay
• You don't have to be perfect to start
• Finishing something you're proud of is its own reward

Some personal news: My husband Ryan and I are actively trying for a baby. For the first time in my life, I feel ready to be a mom without resentment or feeling like I'm giving up on myself. I've accomplished things I'm proud of, and I'm ready for the next chapter.

Thank you to everyone who made Season 2 possible - Justin Story for Creators Escape, Sabrina and Imani from Blackstock Footage for producing, and every single guest who trusted me with their story: Tracey Baker-Simmons, Esso, Pastor Tekoa Pouerie, Jada Urban, Monique, and more.

Most importantly, thank you to my community. Without you listening, there's nothing for me to create.

Season 3? We'll see what happens. But I promise more episodes of just me talking. No more hiding behind interviews.

It's been real. See you soon.

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Sometimes the best conversations start with discovering you have the same favorite rapper! When I reconnected with Jada Urban in NYC after three years, we ended up bonding over everything from Jay-Z to growing up Afro-Latina in spaces where we were often the only ones who looked like us.
Jada's been behind the scenes on some of your favorite productions - from "Owning Manhattan" (where she watched people casually drop $7.7 million on apartments) to the Tony Awards. But what I love about her is that she shows up authentically in every space, no code-switching required.
In this candid girl talk, we dive into:

- What it's really like being the production assistant who speaks up about diversity on set
- The reality of working 12-hour days while being a mom to a three-year-old
- Our shared experiences growing up Afro-Latina and the identity confusion (like teachers asking me "how are you black AND Hispanic?")
- Why she prefers controlling the vision from behind the camera
- Her dream to work with Henry Louis Gates Jr. on PBS projects
- The art of advocating for yourself without burning bridges
- Music memories that shaped us (shoutout to Watch the Throne tour!)
- Secret talents that involve toes (yes, we went there)

This episode is for anyone who's ever felt like the only one in the room, anyone trying to balance career ambitions with motherhood, or anyone who refuses to dim their light to make others comfortable. Plus, we settle the age-old debate about whether KIX cereal still exists.

Two women just catching up and keeping it 100 about representation, motherhood, and making it in entertainment.
#HardWigSoftLife #ProductionLife #DiversityInMedia #WorkingMoms #AfroLatina #EntertainmentIndustry #BehindTheScenes #Authenticity #NoCodeSwitching #RepresentationMatters #SingleMom #ProductionAssistant #RealTalk #JayZ

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This episode is so special! 🎬✨ For the first time, I'm bringing someone from behind the camera to the front - meet Zebrina Lee, co-founder of Blackstock Footage and the creative genius who's been helping bring Hard Wig, Soft Life to life visually.

What started as a professional relationship has blossomed into a beautiful friendship, and today Zebrina shares her powerful journey of finding her voice through art, healing, and entrepreneurship.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

• Her evolution from journalism dreams to becoming a cinematographer and visual storyteller
• How endometriosis and trauma led to a profound healing journey through holistic health
• Building Blackstock Footage with her husband to preserve and celebrate Black culture
• Using art as medicine - from photography to painting to herbalism
• The importance of authentic representation in media and stock footage
• Creating with intention: "I'm creating with a clear mind and an open heart"
• Supporting women entrepreneurs in telling their visual stories

Zebrina's story is one of resilience, creativity, and the power of using your voice to heal not just yourself, but your community. From sexual assault survival to endometriosis battles to building a groundbreaking stock footage company, her journey proves that our greatest challenges can become our most powerful purpose.

Connect with Zebrina: 📱 Instagram: @ArtByZebrina
🌐 Blackstock Footage: blackstockfootage.io 🎬 Visual storytelling for women entrepreneurs and healers

This conversation will inspire you to see art as more than creativity - it's healing, it's purpose, and it's a pathway to finding your authentic voice.

#HardWigSoftLife #ZebrinaLee #BlackstockFootage #ArtHealing #VisualStorytelling #Endometriosis #HolisticHealing #BlackRepresentation #WomenEntrepreneurs #CreativeJourney #FindingYourVoice #ArtAsMedicine

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