Joc sits down with Dr. Marsha, who went from forensic psychology to building a wellness retreat empire that's changing lives for Black women everywhere. She breaks down her journey from Jamaica to navigating corporate America across Connecticut, Florida, Texas, and California, and how COVID-19 became the catalyst that pushed her to bet on herself. Dr. Marsha gets real about the mental health toll of unfulfilling work, why community and sisterhood aren't optional for Black women climbing the corporate ladder, and how manifestation became her secret weapon for personal growth. From winning awards at the Black Travel Summit in Brazil to creating safe spaces through her retreats, she's proof that life is too short to play small. If you've ever felt stuck in a job that's draining your soul, or wondered what it takes to actually trust your intuition and leap, this conversation is for you. Press play.

Connect with Dr. Marsha:

• Website: https://www.drmarshaevans.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarshaevans/

Keywords: Dr. Marsha, travel, wellness retreats, Black women, corporate America, manifestation, self-discovery, mental health, cultural experiences, COVID-19, Women's History Month, Black women entrepreneurs, wellness travel, Brazil

Key Takeaways:

• Self-discovery and healing are essential for personal growth.
• Life is too short to stay in an unfulfilling job.
• Community and sisterhood are vital for Black women in corporate America.
• Manifestation can be a powerful tool for transformation.
• COVID-19 forced many to reevaluate their careers and mental health.
• Trusting your intuition and taking risks leads to breakthroughs.
• Gratitude is a daily practice that shifts perspective.
• Wellness retreats create safe spaces for Black women to heal and connect.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Marsha's Journey
• 02:28 Transitioning from Connecticut to Florida
• 05:05 Cultural Differences and Experiences in Miami
• 08:04 Exploring Life in Texas and California
• 10:42 The Impact of COVID-19 on Dr. Marsha's Career
• 13:21 A Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery
• 16:17 Manifestation and New Beginnings
• 18:48 Building a Wellness Retreat Business
• 21:44 Challenges Faced by Black Women in Corporate America
• 24:34 The Importance of Community and Sisterhood
• 26:58 Dr. Marsha's Award at the Black Travel Summit
• 29:51 Experiences in Brazil and Cultural Insights
• 32:27 Future Plans and Upcoming Retreats

This conversation goes deep. Joc sits down with Kam an African diaspora traveler + storyteller. They get into African traditional religions, how Black history shapes who we become, and what it means to grow up in the church while staying curious about the world beyond it. Kam breaks down her journey from questioning different religious beliefs to finding herself fully at Howard University, where being at an HBCU gave her the freedom to just be. They talk about the power of HBCU connections that literally change your life trajectory, and how those relationships led Kam to make a bold move to Ghana right after graduation. From navigating life in Ghana to surviving and thriving through the pandemic abroad, this episode is packed with real talk about growth, exploration, and what happens when you stop playing it safe. If you've ever felt caught between tradition and curiosity, or wondered what life looks like when you actually take that leap internationally, this one's for you. Press play.

Follow Kam's adventures:

Instagram: @adventurousKam

TikTok: @adventurousKam

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Black History Month
• 08:13 Understanding Watch Night Service
• 13:18 Curiosity about Other Religions
• 22:24 Conversations about Different Religions
• 28:58 Transition to Howard University
• 35:01 Freedom to Be Black
• 42:42 Life in Ghana: A Bold Move After Graduation
• 59:53 Pandemic Experiences and Traveling Again

The Black in CDMX series continues, and this one’s for the families. Joc sits down with Deryle and Desiree from @gotoutgotin, and they get real about what it actually takes when a family decides to pack up and build a new life outside the U.S. This isn’t just about visas and logistics, it’s about navigating cultural differences, language barriers, parenting in a completely new environment, and making sure your kids see themselves represented in their new world. They get into the real challenges: how relationships get tested and strengthened when you’re far from home, what intentional community building actually looks like when you’re starting from scratch, and the unique experience of raising a family in Mexico City. From the residency process and its benefits to their e-book that breaks down everything you need to consider before moving abroad (no matter where you’re going), this episode is packed with valuable game for anyone considering taking their family international. If you’ve been wondering whether you can actually do this with kids in tow, or if you’re already abroad and need to know you’re not alone, press play.
Follow Deryle & Desiree: https://www.instagram.com/gotoutgotin/
Check out their resources:
∙ DollarsAndStories.com
∙ ICanYouCanVegan.com
∙ Grab their e-book on moving abroad with location-independent insights you can apply anywhere

Keywords:
Mexico City, family travel, moving abroad with kids, expat families, parenting abroad, CDMX, residency process, international living, cultural immersion, community building, Black families abroad, Mexico relocation, gotoutgotin, moving abroad guide, Black in CDMX

If you've been thinking about Mexico City, this is the episode you need. Joc sits down with Mark, Founder and CEO of VisaMapAI and a key member of the Move CDMX team, and they get into everything: what it's really like being Black in CDMX, the comedy scene Mark is literally building from the ground up, Art Week, the Kanye concert that had the city buzzing, and even watching the Super Bowl halftime show from Mexico. Mark shares how he turned a potluck in his home into Comedy Kickback and eventually booked KevinOnStage, a comedian from the U.S., to perform in CDMX. He breaks down how VisaMapAI helps you find better visa options beyond the H-1B with personalized recommendations in minutes. They talk about navigating life abroad, building real community in one of the hottest expat destinations right now, and why CDMX has become a hub for Black travelers and digital nomads looking to live their best lives. Whether you're stuck in visa limbo, planning your move, or just CDMX curious, this conversation will give you the real talk and the tools you need to make your next move. Stop dreaming and start planning because the community is already there waiting for you.

Check out VisaMapAI: https://visamapai.com/

Next time you're in Mexico City, tap in with @themovecdmx for events of the week and to connect with community: https://www.instagram.com/themovecdmx/

For Black History Month this year, Joc sits down with Joseph Landon, founder of JoJo's Ventures, and they get straight into it: Black history IS American history, and if you don't know that by now, this conversation will set you straight. They talk about the Great Migration and how it shaped New York City, the reality of gentrification pushing out the very communities that built the culture, and how JoJo's Trip Advisor award-winning tours are reclaiming the narrative. With NYC's 200th anniversary on the horizon, they break down what it means to preserve history, honor legacy, and use tourism as a tool for cultural upliftment. From the streets of Harlem to the stories that don't make it into textbooks, this episode is a masterclass in why knowing where we came from matters.

Website: www.travelhour.org

Follow us on IG:
Podcast: @Thee Travel Hour
Co-Host:
Joc: @chasing_zig
Matt P.: @accordingtomp

Business Inquiries:
Travelhourljm@gmail.com

Y'all, this one gets heavy and real. Joc kicks things off talking about the ghettoness happening in the States right now: the wild weather, travel bans, and the situation in Minnesota that got everybody on edge. But then he switches it up and takes us to Guatemala for the first time. He breaks down his experience in Antigua, the vibes there, and gets into what it was like hiking Volcano Acatenango. From the chaos back home to finding peace and perspective abroad, this episode is about why we travel, especially when things at home feel impossible. If you needed a reminder that the world is bigger than what's happening in your backyard, press play.

Website: www.travelhour.org

Follow us on IG:

Podcast: @Thee Travel Hour
Co-Host:
Joc: @chasing_zig
Matt P.: @accordingtomp

Business Inquiries:
Travelhourljm@gmail.com

We're chopping it up with Daryl (@takeoffwithdaryl) about Brazil, and man, this trip was different! We're breaking down why Brazil hit the way it did, the moments that really stuck with us, and why we're already locking in the next trip to Brazil. If you've been or you're thinking about making the move, you gotta tune in. The world is yours!

Website: www.travelhour.org

Follow us on IG:

Podcast: @Thee Travel Hour
Co-Host:
Joc: @chasing_zig
Matt P.: @accordingtomp

Business Inquiries:
Travelhourljm@gmail.com

Joc and Reese get into everything: navigating time zones while living that nomadic life, the cultural diversity they've experienced across the U.S., and their experience at the Black Travel Summit. They break down what it's been like leaving the Bay for Mexico City and dive deep into what responsible travel really means. They talk about documenting stories through photography, making sure their dollars go directly into local communities, why controlling their own narrative as Black travelers is everything, and how food and drink become their gateway to understanding culture on a deeper level. At the end of the day, this episode is about creating a platform where their stories, and yours, get told the right way.

Key Takeaways:

• Cultural Immersion
• Community Building
• Responsible Travel
• Cultural Consciousness

Chapters:

• 00:00 Leaving the Bay and Exploring Mexico City
• 42:22 Responsible Travel and Bartering
• 47:28 Intentional Spending in Local Communities
• 55:46 Narrative Control and Representation
• 01:09:20 Adapting to Different Travel Experiences
• 01:14:26 Cultural Exploration Through Food and Drink
• 01:20:20 Platform for Sharing Stories