You know that voice—the one that whispers you're not good enough, smart enough, or “together” enough? That’s the inner critic. In this episode, we confront her with compassion. We unpack where she came from, why she’s so loud, and how to shift from self-judgment to self-love.

Sis, your inner dialogue sets the tone for your healing. Let’s make it kind.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact a licensed therapist or mental health provider in your area.

Being “the good girl” might feel safe—but at what cost? In Episode 4, we peel back the layers of people-pleasing and perfectionism that leave us burnt out, resentful, and disconnected from ourselves. We talk about what it means to show up honestly, even if it disappoints others.

Real peace comes when you stop apologizing for taking up space.

This podcast is for informational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact a licensed therapist or mental health provider in your area.

Somewhere along the way, many of us learned to shrink—our thoughts, our needs, our truth. In this episode, we’re reclaiming what was never truly lost: your voice. Whether it was buried beneath people-pleasing, perfectionism, or fear of judgment, this conversation is your permission to speak again.

Your voice isn’t too loud. It’s too powerful to stay silent.

This podcast is for informational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact a licensed therapist or mental health provider in your area.

In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to be “the strong friend.” You know—the one who checks on everyone else but rarely gets checked on. We explore how this role affects emotional health, identity, and the silent pressures of always being “okay.” If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of the world while smiling through it—this one’s for you.

We’ll uncover how strength and silence can coexist, and why vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s freedom. It’s time to unmask the girl behind the expectations.

Let’s talk about rest, boundaries, and the right to not always have it all together.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact a licensed therapist or mental health provider in your area.

We all wear masks.
The achiever. The peacekeeper. The strong one.
But at what cost?

In this first episode of the Unmasking Me mini-series, Marquita invites you into a deep, soul-searching conversation about identity, performance, and the quiet loss of self that happens when we start living for approval instead of authenticity.

Blending psychology, personal reflection, and a message of healing, this episode asks:
When did you stop being you—and how do we find our way back?

Rooted in the work of Carl Rogers and Brené Brown, this conversation explores the emotional and mental toll of masking, and why rediscovering our true self is not just powerful—it’s necessary.

In this episode, we explore:

• How and why we develop a “false self”

• The hidden cost of constantly performing

• Signs you’re living masked

• How to begin reconnecting with your most authentic self

• What it means to model realness for our girls

📓 Reflection Prompt:
What part of you have you been hiding to be accepted? What would happen if you let her speak?

🎧 Follow us on all platforms: @maqmentoring
💬 DM us or tag us with your letters to your younger self—we’d love to celebrate the real you.

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational, reflective, and storytelling purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health advice. Please consult a licensed counselor or therapist for personal support.

🎙 Credits:
Host: Marquita Clark
Produced by: MAQ Mentoring Media
Creative Direction: MAQ Musings Podcast Team

In the final episode of our Feel It to Heal It mini-series, we’re talking about emotional boundaries—the invisible lines that protect our energy, define our limits, and allow us to love deeply without abandoning ourselves. Marquita guides listeners through how to recognize when your boundaries are being crossed, how to build new ones, and how to model this strength for the young girls watching.

In this episode, we explore:

• What emotional boundaries are and why we struggle with them

• How trauma and social conditioning impact our ability to set limits

• A 3-step boundary-setting blueprint for everyday life

• The difference between being nice and being whole

📓 Reflection Challenge:
Where am I overextending? What boundary do I need to set today to protect my peace?

🎧 Follow us on all platforms: @maqmentoring
💬 Let us know if you want more conversations on emotional intelligence!

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and personal reflection purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health care. Please seek support from a licensed therapist or counselor if needed.

🎙 Credits:
Hosted by Marquita Clark
Produced by MAQ Mentoring
Creative Direction by MAQ Musings Media Team

Until next time, this has been MAQ Musings—where every girl is valued, every story matters, and you always belong.

We all have them—emotional triggers that catch us off guard, push our buttons, and send us spiraling. In Episode 5, Marquita dives deep into the science and psychology behind emotional triggers. What they are, how they hijack our responses, and what it truly means to own our reactions. This episode offers a powerful mix of reflection, neuroscience, and real-life wisdom to help you reclaim your peace.

In this episode, we explore:

• What a trigger really is (and what it isn’t)

• Why your reaction isn’t always about the present moment

• A 3-step framework to respond instead of react

• How to teach this emotional awareness to the next generation of girls

📓 Reflection Challenge:
When was the last time I overreacted? What emotion was hiding underneath? What memory did it connect to? What would my healed self do differently?

🎧 Follow us on all platforms: @maqmentoring
💬 Share this episode with a friend who’s doing the inner work.

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and personal reflection purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health care. Please seek support from a licensed therapist or counselor if needed.

May is Lupus Awareness Month, and today Marquita opens up about what it means to be a Lupus Warrior—navigating daily life with a chronic, often invisible illness that disproportionately affects Black and brown women. From misunderstood symptoms to misdiagnoses, she shares her truth with vulnerability, strength, and hope.

Whether you live with lupus, love someone who does, or simply want to better understand the battles people fight behind closed doors—this conversation will move you, inform you, and remind you to lead with compassion.

Lupus is real. Lupus is misunderstood. And lupus warriors deserve to be heard.

In this episode, we explore:

• What lupus is and how it impacts the body
• The emotional toll of invisible illness
• Advocacy, self-compassion, and daily resilience
• What lupus teaches us about grace, strength, and rest
• How to support someone living with a chronic condition

Reflection Prompt:
What invisible battles might the people around me be facing? How can I lead with empathy and awareness this week?

Follow us on all platforms: @maqmentoring
Join the movement: Wear purple, share your story, or ask someone to share theirs. Awareness creates space. Belonging creates healing.

Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for any health-related concerns.

Credits:
Hosted by Marquita Clark
Produced by MAQ Mentoring
Creative Direction by MAQ Musings Media Team