A Drop of Happy: Recent Episodes

LiteVi LLC

A Drop of Happy: Carefree, stress well, light and lively living while loving and reviewing entertainment tidbits~

I Binged XO, Kitty, and Now We Need to Talk

Finished Season three of XO Kitty. Let’s get caught up.

XO Kitty is a Covey sister spin-off. She is the youngest sister of Lara Jean Song from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, now streaming on Netflix. Released in 2018, To All the Boys is the first in a movie trilogy starring Lana Condor as Lara Jean. Kitty is her little, meddling sister who sparks off the drama in the first movie. Fortunately, the drama doesn’t end, as she gets her own spin-off series, which now has three seasons with a fourth promised.

XO Kitty Season 1

Season One follows Kitty as she embarks on her first year as a student in Seoul, where her mother used to attend. Her reasons for going are twofold: to learn more about her mother and her history, and to meet her boyfriend, Dae. At the end of the season, she and Dae are no longer together, and she has feelings for Yuri. On her way back home, she finds herself seated next to Min-ho, who confesses that he actually likes her.

XO Kitty Season 2

Season two finds her back at KISS, trying to navigate school and her crushes, particularly since Yuri is dating someone. There is a singing competition run by Min-ho’s father, and Dae loses out to his soon-to-be short-stint girlfriend. Kitty is also navigating family drama as she gets to know her family and attempts to reunite a broken family. The season ends with Eunice winning the competition. Yuri is broke after her family business loses a class action lawsuit in which Dae’s family gets a settlement, and Kitty realizes she has feelings for Min-ho as well, but does not get the chance to tell him how she feels.

XO Kitty Season 3

Season 3 Kitty is back to close out her senior year at KISS. She is ambitious about making it her best year ever. She has a list of things she wants to do to ensure that happens, and one of those things is finally getting together with Minho. We start season three off, though, right before summer break, where she is trying to get some alone time with Min-ho, but it fails epically as things turn into a group trip to Busan. Min-ho is working; Kitty is dressed like a sailor and ends up almost ruining things by changing into Eunice’s performance outfit. I felt more embarrassed than they made it out to be. Afterward, she and Min-ho part ways without telling each other how they really feel.

Kitty is Kitty. They tried to make her look like the bad guy, but I disagree.

Marius. They did not redeem him.

Min-ho. Doing the most.

Juliana. Still wasn’t feeling her.

Quincy. Lucky Jin took him back after his shady behavior.

Jin. Self-confident

Continue to listenenig for the full show

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Love the show? Be sure to like, share, and subscribe wherever you stream podcasts. You can also follow @LiteVi across social media for wellness tips, entertainment commentary, and your weekly drop of happy. www.litevi.com

Casa Amor, Movie Night, Dumps, and Recoupling

Love Island

Season 8 Episodes 24, 25 and 26

Movie night part one was packed with so many juicy clips that we all wanted. I do feel like it should have been three hours because I would have been sat. The music selection was trying to be a main character but fell a little short, a little cheesy in the selections, but did go great with popcorn, I guess. Let’s get into it because the clips were clipping and the aftermath ended with 5 people getting dumped from the island.

Couples

Aniya (23)- Started out single and ended up with Carl (28). Carl came back, and she is making her move or he is making his move. Moves are being made. I am excited for her and what’s to come.

KC (23) and Titi (25)- I still want them dumped from the Villa.

Caleb (21) and Jaiden (22)- I was rooting for Caleb.

Corbin (22) and Parmida (27)- I just do not really care about Corbin or Parmida.

Kenzie (24) and Dylan (24)- I do not know if Kenzie really wants a man, but I do know she craves attention. I said this last time, and it still stands.

Jen (23) and Gal (29) turned into Gal and Amora (21)- Poor Jen. Gal came at her heavy talking about how she was being aggressive when she was just trying to understand and salvage the relationship.

Melanie (24) and Sincere (25)- Everyone was quiet after Sincere’s clips showed. Melanie reverted to a childlike state, and Aniya was projecting, talking about, “See, you are not crazy.” It was a mess.

Trinity (22) and Bryce (29)- They are booed up now.

Kayda (22) and Zach (26)- Would Zach have chosen Kayda if that girl hadn’t gotten kicked off? During movie night, Kayda realized that the girl Zach was “connecting” with was already off the show, and she had the same question.

Continue to listenenig for the full show

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Love the show? Be sure to like, share, and subscribe wherever you stream podcasts. You can also follow @LiteVi across social media for wellness tips, entertainment commentary, and your weekly drop of happy. www.litevi.com

Love Island

Season 8 Episode 21

So I am still being held hostage on Love Island by my daughter. Honestly, I am not hooked like everyone else. Before I dive into the recoupling drama, I really was annoyed with Titi and Parmida because the girls were trying to be so respectful to them and not bring them into the drama, but they felt compelled to jump in and say something. You spent three days with this man, and now you think you have a right to save them from the wrath they deserved. Titi especially got on my last good nerve. So let’s get into the recoupling drama. And please, for the love of everything holy, bring back Carl.

Couples

Aniya (23)- Single.

KC (23) and Titi (25)

Caleb (21) and Jaiden (22)

Corbin (22) and Parmida (27)

Kenzi (24) and Dylan (24)

Jen (23) and Gal (29)

Melanie (24) and Sincere (25)

Trinity (22) and Bryce (29)

Kayda (22) and Zach (26)

Your Peace Is More Important Than Your Response

You don’t always need to react

You’re learning that not everything needs an immediate reaction—especially not from you.

It is alright to let things go. Sometimes, some people may feel the need to have a say, or win an argument or be right or have an opinion. In this current time, when everyone has a social media page, a podcast mic, a camera phone or access to an audience, it can be tempting to lend a voice to what goes on around you. Some are compelled to do it. Just because we have access does not mean that we should sound off. Likewise, just because we can react does not mean that we should.

I like to work on this concept particularly in altercations or disagreements, especially when one side of the party is getting significantly worked up, whether it is by displaying anger or strong emotions. We have to ask ourselves what the end goal of this argument is. When I walk away from this, what will either of us gain? Sometimes, I find it is not worth it to just be right.

There are times when the other party is purposely trying to get under your skin. They want to engage you, enrage you even. They want a reaction. Our current media landscape is like this. With the media economy set up the way it is, all that matters is the click and how long they can keep you engaged. That’s what pays the bills. That is what gets the brands to spend money and keep the lights on. Of course, that is serious business. So, clickbait and articles that serve to stir up our emotions are the most reactionary and what keep us around longer. It is usually something negative that is designed to trigger a part of us that compels us to engage.

That constant interaction can be exhausting. It requires a respite because we should not constantly have our buttons pressed and emotions fired. It is not healthy and can lead to ongoing stress reactions. When do we decompress? Between the news on television and the information on social media, our senses are always on high alert, and we do not even notice. Talk about being constantly in stress mode. Fight or flight never turns off, and that leads us to hormonal reactions that lead to chronic stress that leads to disease.

So it is okay not to react. It is okay to turn it off. It is okay to allow your mind some time to just be. Stare at the clouds, breathe, doodle, skip, or do whatever frivolous thing that makes your heart smile, even if it is just for a minute.

Is it easy? Absolutely not. Is it necessary? Absolutely yes! Beyond necessary. It is imperative.

Check out some of our related posts

Let Go of The Drama

Release What’s Weighing You Down: Today is a Good Day to Let Go of What No Longer Serves You

In This Moment: Three Steps to get There

Losing You: The Art of Letting Go and Finding Yourself Again

Stress Management in Five

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Rowan is supposed to pick from three men her father has selected for her to marry. On the day they return from battle, she finds out that the one she actually loves, Zane Kane, loves her servant and is secretly plotting against her. He only wants to marry her to get her title, dowry and rewards. Then he will force her to accept Elara, and if she doesn’t, he will divorce her. The other two suitors seemed to hate her as well and are on Elara’s side. So even if she doesn’t pick Zane, they won’t marry her, leaving her with no choice. Hurt, Rowan hatches a plan that will turn their worlds upside down while getting her revenge on all of them for their betrayal.

Continue to listenenig for the full recap

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Love the show? Be sure to like, share, and subscribe wherever you stream podcasts. You can also follow @LiteVi across social media for wellness tips, entertainment commentary, and your weekly drop of happy. www.litevi.com

US Weekly recently published that Kristy and Desmond Scott agreed to divorce terms over two months ago. The terms include how they will split the assets, custody of the children, and even how they will communicate on the children’s education. I am sure their lawyers left no stone unturned in order to get the divorce done. However, the article also states from the court documents that, “Ten days after filing, Desomnd, 32, filed an answer to Kristy’s divorce petition with a general denial and requested attorney’s fees, expenses, and costs on March 27th. It appears a motion for trial on merits is scheduled for hearing in July.”

There have been a lot of internet discussions about this couple because those who have followed them were weirdly invested in their relationship. I think there was also a fantastical aspect to their relationship because it looked like they were living the American dream. They were high school sweethearts turned married couple turned popular social media influencers with two beautiful children, a beautiful home, and what looked like a loving relationship.

Our investment in them was the epitome of a “parasocial” relationship activity. So when the news of their separation became public, the internet went absolutely crazy with people picking sides. Some were Team Desmond because they felt that Kristy used him, did not allow him to be his authentic self, and would not let him leave the relationship. Some were Team Kristy because they related to being cheated on. I am team let go of what does not serve you. I am team truth, honesty and values.

Continue to listenenig for the full show

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Love the show? Be sure to like, share, and subscribe wherever you stream podcasts. You can also follow @LiteVi across social media for wellness tips, entertainment commentary, and your weekly drop of happy. www.litevi.com

Are Parasocial Relationships Healthy… or Getting Out of Control?

What is a parasocial relationship? I have to ask because lately, I feel that’s the new buzzword being thrown around. Everyone is talking about the detriment of parasocial relationships brought on by social media. Discourse is particularly intense on social media and reflects society's obsession with celebrities. And I am thinking Duh … are we new here?

So let’s take a look at parasocial relationships through two articles.

Psychology Today’s Parasocial Relationships

Key Highlights

What are parasocial relationships, and why do we form them

Health vs unhealthy parasocial relationships

Do Parasocial Relationships Fill a Loneliness Gap

Key Highlights

Why do we get into parasocial relationships

Pro and cons

Fostering deeper connections

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Love the show? Be sure to like, share, and subscribe wherever you stream podcasts. You can also follow @LiteVi across social media for wellness tips, entertainment commentary, and your weekly drop of happy. www.litevi.com

Disclosure Day Trailer

Disclosure Day

Release: June 12, 2026

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Coleman Domingo, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Wyatt Russel, and Josh O’Connor

The trailer for this new Steven Spielberg-directed sci-fi film has garnered over 31 million views since its release 2 months ago, and I am intrigued.

Where are my science fiction movie lovers at?

Better yet, where are my alien conspiracy theorists at?

Great cast

Intrigue, action and drama

We are not ready for the truth

Listen to the full episode

https://www.disclosuredaymovie.com/

Love the show? Be sure to like, share, and subscribe wherever you stream podcasts. You can also follow @LiteVi across social media for wellness tips, entertainment commentary, and your weekly drop of happy. www.litevi.com

In the list of life's most stressful events, divorce ranks second, right behind the death of a spouse. Now, everything that leads up to that can ramp up the stress meter. In Gayle King’s case, catching her husband cheating red-handed definitely ramped things up a bit. She recently shared during her appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast that she got home and caught her husband fresh out of the shower with someone she thought was a friend.

Not only was Gayle King dealing with the shock of this man, William Bumpus, cheating, but she also had to learn that it was with another person she had some level of trust. They had been married for 11 years and, eventually, they did end up getting a divorce. What got her through that ordeal was reaching out to friends and having people to lean on. Of course, she talked about immediately calling her BFF, Oprah Winfrey, which is what anyone in that situation would do. I am immediately phoning a friend because I may need someone to talk me down from doing something crazy that would only make matters worse.

Divorce can cause a huge impact and the most important thing is that we don’t ignore the effects and seek support like Gayle did to help us through it.

Tips to Cope

Tips to manage emotions and stay calm

Continue to listen for the full of show

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Welcome to Shorts & Stories: Quick Escapes for Your Mind

Introducing Shorts and Stories

What are Shorts and Stories?

My new obsession

Books (audio and physical also featuring Pocket FM)

Micro-dramas aka Shorts

Get to the Library or use Libby

Pocket FM, Libby,

Ranks my least to most favorite

Galatea TV
GoodShort
Kalos TV
LiteTV
Sereal+
ShortMax
DramaBox
ReelShort

New player PineDrama TV

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Seven Days in June by Tia Williams is a contemporary romance novel about two people who have seemingly successfully survived their dysfunction. It follows the life of Eva and Shane who have become successful writers after creating characters based off each other.

When you fall off your reading game

About Tia Williams

Perfect Find now a movie on Netflix starring Gabrielle Union

Book Summary: After a trauma bonding week of making love, Shane disappears from Eva’s life and shows up years later to shake everything up again.

Rating 7/10

Managing an invisible disability

Toxic mamma

Love, Wine, and New Beginnings: My You, Me & Tuscany Review

You, Me and Tuscany

Will Packer Production

Released: April 2026

Director: Kat Coiro

Starring: Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page, Aziza Scott, Lorenzo de Moor, Marco Calvani, Nia Vardalos (did a cameo), and Stella Pecollo

Available: Streaming

You, Me and Tuscany is now available to rent on streaming platforms. The romantic comedy theater debut met with a tepid reception in April. The box office performance was disappointing to say the least, with the charming rom-com pulling in 22 million worldwide as of early May.

I have seen it in the theaters twice, and if I had the time before it was out, I would have seen it more. I thoroughly enjoyed it because it was light and cute and funny and a pleasure to watch. Now, I am partial to rom-coms. I expect their predictability and appreciate the happy ending.

What do you do when your life is falling apart? That was the situation that both Anna and Michael faced after losing loved ones, and each faced it very differently.

You, Me and Tuscany follows Anna, played by Halle Bailey, as she navigates her life after losing her mother. The film stars Regé-Jean Page, Aziza Scott, Lorenzo de Moor, Marco Calvani, Nia Vardalos (did a cameo), and Stella Pecollo. I loved the chemistry the cast had together. They were fun and heartwarming.

Now, I loved this movie, but, again, I am extremely biased. First, I love anything with a romance spin. So this being a romance is right up my alley. I also am a big Halle Bailey fan. Some say there is nothing special about this movie compared to other romance films. It received 66% from Rotten Tomatoes and 6.2 from IMDb, which is pretty accurate. My rating is about an 8 because, to me, there was just something wonderful about it.

The pacing worked very well for me. The comedic timing of the cast was spot on, especially Francesca, played by Pecollo. The acting was romcom acting. I also loved the setting. It was bright and airy and inviting. Book me a flight to Tuscany!

SPOILER ALERT

The movie follows Anna, who, after losing her mom, gave up on all of her dreams, which included cooking and going to Tuscany. She is working as a house sitter and lost her most recent gig because she took liberties with the owner's clothes. She is floating. The only one remotely keeping her grounded is her best friend, Clair. One night after getting fired, she meets Mateo, and they kick it out. They talk all night and vibe. He tells her all about his home in Tuscany and why he left. He also tells her about his villa that is left unattended. She gets invited for a nightcap, but Mateo ends up falling asleep and nothing happens.

The encounter does inspire her, though, and she ends up spontaneously going to Tuscany without any plans. This is where all the shenanigans start. Listen for a full recap and discussion.

Today is a Good day to Renew yourself

Just as trees shed their leaves in winter and renew themselves, the mind can shed its prejudices, barriers and renew itself. - Radha Burnier

Every day is a day to renew yourself, your thoughts, your behaviors, and your focus. Truth be told, I feel like I am doing just that regularly. Consistency and focus are my Achilles’ heel. I envy people who seem to have it more together than I do, but then I remember to turn that energy inwards so that I can work on myself. I have been writing about the need to stay focused and get refocused for as long as I can remember. It is not something that will ever go away.

The reality is, we have to be comfortable with the need to refresh and revisit. Just as nature goes through cycles, so do we, while some of us may have shorter refocus cycles than others, that too is alright. I think the thing that can easily get away from us is realizing that we actually need to take a step back, take that breath, and actually pause, reflect and refocus.

We probably do it in small doses on a daily basis, but sometimes we need to take bigger steps back. This is why practicing mindfulness and grounding activities and working on stress management is important because it all works together to keep us on the right course.

So, just revisit one of the articles or shows I have posted before that may help us.

When Doing IT All Goes Wrong: 5 Life Balance Tips to Get Back on Track

Finding Focus: Today is a Good Day to Believe in Yourself Again

Collect Experiences, Not Stress — That’s Where Living Begins

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. –Rabindranath Tagore

This is a beautiful way of saying enjoy the journey. This is a poetic way of saying count it all joy. This is saying seize the day. This is saying everything is a lesson. As I move through life and gain wisdom along with every strand of gray hair, I am learning to embrace this more and more. Really, I am learning to understand it more and more. As the world gets smaller through 6 degrees of separation and social media and avalanches of information from around the world and headlines meant to pull and tug at our emotions, the one thing that is unchanged, no matter where we are or what we are going through, is that the sun is going to rise and set. Life is going to keep on keeping on. Everything is going to keep on moving. Understanding and appreciating how everything contributes to the flavor of life will help us handle the ups and downs.

This quote is a lovely way of slightly altering a cliché that, when we truly think about it, hits home. When we take the time to try to change our mindset towards the things that happen to us, we may be able to better handle the things that happen to us. The universe and its workings are beyond our grasp at times. How everything, creation, destruction, and everything in between fits and somehow works, and where it doesn’t, the world shifts to make necessary adjustments that we cannot begin to fathom, is awe-inspiring. For many, this is where a deity (God or any other) comes in to help us pull it all together, from some of the marvels of science, and yet for some, simple acceptance. Nevertheless, putting this into perspective and realizing that no matter what, at the end of the day, experience is living, and everything contributes to our tapestry of life. How can we grow and live life to the fullest is to collect experiences and not stress. That’s where living begins.

Today is a good day to collect experiences.

The Magic of Learning From Your Experiences

Michael Movie

Released: April 2026

Director: Antoine Fuqua

Starring: Jaafar Jackson, Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Kendrick Sampson, Larenz Tate, Derek Lik, Laura Harrier, Miles Teller, Juliano Krue Valdi, and Keilyn Durrel Jones

In theaters

Loved it! The movie was over, and the whole audience in the theater just sat there waiting for more.

Great casting

Make-up artist

Rating 10/10

Headlines and Haters

The movie stopped in 1988

Black or White video 1991

1994 settlement after 1993 accusations

Court Case 2005

Why didn’t we get to see about the accusations and the settlement

GQ article Yes, Michael Really Ends Like That

Today Is a Good Day to Talk About Your Joys (Yes, Yours Matter)

Talk happiness. The world is sad enough
Without your woe. No path is wholly rough.
― Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Today is a good day to be positive. I am not talking about ignoring our problems or propagating toxic positivity. I am talking about thinking of the good things in life, having a different perspective and practicing gratitude.

I do love that quote from Ella Wheeler Wilcox because she is basically saying yeah, life is rough, but it’s not only rough. There are moments of joy and happiness that will carve out for ourselves. We have a habit of talking about our woes and pushing our woes. That’s why clickbait is so popular because it tugs on our emotions, and the more negative the better.

Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about our joys. — Rita Schiano

Journal Prompt: Your toughest accomplishment

The Drama Review: A Hard Lesson—Everyone Isn’t in Your Corner

The Drama starring Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Mamoudou Athie dropped in theaters, and to be honest, I was not too excited about seeing it. Zendaya notwithstanding. However, I am glad I did.

Lesson learned: Some people only care about themselves and do not always have your back

Rating 8/10

Spoilers 9:30 marker

After finally watching America’s Next Top Model documentary, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, I have concluded that Natalie Nunn is better than Tyra Banks. Hold up, wait a minute. Let’s get into it before everyone attacks me from all directions.

7/10 for the three-episode documentary.

Listen to the full episode.

Know your Values

Article: Stressed Out? Activate Your Core Values for Real Relief and Resilience

Is Trya Banks a crappy person?

Does she know who she is?

Natalie Nunn > Tyra Banks

Not another America’s Next Top Model Cycle

Did you all know about the controversy?

Why I know nothing about the movies or previous adaptations

About the Movie: Release, cast, critic, Box Office

Review: Listen to why I gave it a 9.5.

Recap and Spoilers

Listen below now

Oftentimes, there are things we want to do. There are places we want to go. There are goals we want to accomplish that may seem unattainable. Sometimes, when we look at the situation we are in, all those things seem dang near impossible. I get that. How can we dream bigger when we are caught up in just trying to survive, or trying to get through the day or battling health concerns or consumed with worry about what loved ones are going through? Sometimes, it never seems like the right time.

How do others do it? How do they overcome? How do they make it look easy? First, I think we should acknowledge that regardless of what success we think we see, everyone has their own personal battles, and although they make it look easy, for them it probably was not. Basically, let’s get out of their business and get back into our own because everyone has their own trials and burdens to bear. But what can we do for ourselves if we are in the pits?

The only limit is you. The only limit is ourselves. The only limit is how big or small we can dream. It sounds impactful, but I want us to take it a step further and make it impactful. I want us to translate that into positive action for our lives. The only way to do that is to change our mindset. To shift it away from all the reasons we cannot to all the reasons we can.

The Power of MindsetShifting Mindsets

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 was finally released on Netflix with four more episodes. After binging it, I don’t know how I feel about this season. It definitely did not dethrone Season 2 (Anthony and Kate) as my favorite, but I am not sure where it would land. I have to watch the season again to make that decision.

For now, my hierarchy remains the same:

The Viscount Who Loved Me (Season 2, Anthony and Kate).
The Duke and I (Season 1, Daphne and Simon).
Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Season 3, Colin and Penelope)
An Offer from a Gentleman (Season 4, Benedict and Sophie)

Anthony and Kate did make an appearance for season 4, but if you blinked, you would have missed them. In part 2, my favorite happenings were Hyacinth, Lady Danbury, and the Queen. It was a cute season, but a little disappointing because Araminta seemed to have gotten off light versus how she was treated in the books. She did not catch enough smoke for my liking. Everything else was on point as usual. These are vets by now, so the acting was solid, and I enjoyed the subplots of the other characters.

Let’s discuss, or if you have no intentions to watch, let me spoil it for you.

Listen now or on your favorite streaming platform!

Release What’s Weighing You Down: Today is a good day to let go of what no longer serves you.

It is a good day to let go of what no longer serves you. There are times when we not only get stuck in life, but we can also get stuck on people, things, or ideas that we once held dear but have since lost their luster. Sometimes the reality of a thing no longer aligns with the fantasy we have built in our heads. It is no longer serving us or maybe it never was, and we have been waiting for it to meet our expectations, but it, they, whatever keeps failing us or it has run its course. At some point, we have to recognize when it is time to let go and know that it is okay. Letting go is an important aspect of stress management. Learning to let go is a gateway to peace. Peace of mind and peace of spirit.

Article: How to Let Go of What You Can't Control

Bridgerton season 4 is now out on Netflix. It's only the first 4 episodes. The next 4 episodes will air on February 26. This is the story of Benedict and Sophie, and it is a Cinderella affair. Now I already told y'all my favorite is season 2 with Anthony and Kate. I don't believe Anthony and Kate are returning for this season because they opted to go to India with Kate's family, where she will have the baby. So we won’t be seeing them this season, and I don't believe we'll be seeing Daphne this season either. However, I do like that we get to see more Hyacinth. I am excited for her story now because she is showing a little spunk and personality. Again, this story is about Benjamin, and it's a Cinderella-type story where Sophie is being mistreated by her evil stepmother. She finds herself falling in love with Benjamin, but because she's a maid, that relationship would be a scandal. Listen for ongoing discussion and breakdown. Comment your thoughts.

Primate is out. I have not experienced that much stress and anxiety since I watched Train to Busan. The way this movie had me on the edge of my seat for most of the time was ridiculous. That chimpanzee was absolutely diabolical.

I know many of us are out here who are getting through. You are doing all the things and making it look damn good while you are at it. All the while, you are feeling blah. We are feeling blah. That blah feeling can be for a myriad of reasons, right? Health, wealth, and self can all be taking a hit while we are maintaining. This is a normal cycle. It is life’s ups and downs. But I know, like me, we don’t want to stay with this blah feeling, this hamster wheel feeling. Over the years, I have written numerous articles on resetting, and I have compiled a list of them here for your reading pleasure. I think I write so many of them because I might be the expert in the art of getting stuck and unstuck while making it look like I got it all together. Actually, we might all be experts in our own way.

But can it be that we are fatigued with doing all the things? Especially now, with so much information entering our brains every day. There is just too much social fodder and turmoil to process. This can lead to a level of fatigue that goes beyond physical. Let’s talk about cognitive fatigue. Cognitive fatigue has been described as mental exhaustion, burnout, or brain fog. Brain fog really shouldn’t be synonymous because it is a collection of symptoms that one experiences when they have cognitive fatigue. It is more widely known so often used to describe cognitive fatigue. It is the tiredness of the mind. The problem is that we don’t always recognize it.

Listen for more

The Ryan Davis situation, with him appearing on Club Shay Shay and discussing his daughter in the light that he did, is an example of when trying to be too deep goes wrong. I get it because there have been viral moments out of Club Shay Shay; Davis was hoping to create and capitalize on his turn. Unfortunately, this viral moment came at the expense of his daughter.

Listen for more!

Finding Focus: Today is a Good day to Believe in Yourself Again.

Every so often, more than I would like, I fall off my game. The plan not only goes sideways, but it gets completely lost. This happens when an unexpected turn of events interrupts the daily happenings. I get distracted, and then I just stop. I think we have learned to do what is necessary to keep going while cutting off those pursuits that bring us joy or invigorate us or bring us closer to a goal. The chase has come to an end, and we may not even realize or even understand why. It is like we go into our own version of survival mode.

In my effort to get unstuck, I attempted to get back to the basics. One of my basics is researching ways to improve upon my situation and share with you all. Living in our truth or happy place is one of the best remedies against stress that we have access to. So let’s get unstuck together and believe in ourselves again.

Today is a good day to believe in yourself again.

I found this article with great suggestions on how we can start. How to Be Growth-Oriented When You Feel Beaten Down.

My translated article highlights from her suggestions:

Be flexible
The everyday stuff matters too
Get back to basics
Be curious

The author reminds us to grow outside of the box, and I remind us to be mindful and reassess.

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What’s on the show: stress-well tip/journal Prompt and Lex Luthor ranking

Stress-well tip/Journal Prompt: “Nothing Can stop me, I’m all the way up!” When was the last time you felt on top of your game?

Discussion of the article, 9 Actors who Played Supervillian Lex Luthor on Screen, Ranked.

Eyes of Wakanda: A Stunning Dive into Marvel’s Untold Stories

What’s on the show:

Journal prompt: Perseverance

Eyes of Wakanda on Disney

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. –James Baldwin

"The Revival of Self" explores how to heal after loss, reclaim your identity, and rediscover your purpose. In this episode, we dive into personal growth, emotional recovery, and the journey back to wholeness.

This is another Happy Drop! I truly hope it gets you to your happy place.

This Week’s Happy Drop: Old Guard 2 & the Entertainment Buzz You Don’t Want to Miss!

Stress Well Tip/Journal Prompt: Believe in you. Think about a time when you let self-doubt take over. What was the outcome? What lessons did you learn? Ultimately, you have to believe in yourself and your capability to be more than what others think of you or to rise to the occasion.

Where’s your happy place?

Movie review of Old Guard, now streaming on Netflix, starring Charlize Theron, Kiki Layne, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Uma Thurman, and Henry Golding

Eyes of Wakanda

Highest 2 Lowest A Spike Lee joint starring Denzel Washington

Oldboy, another Spike Lee joint

The New Superman Soars — A Powerful Reminder to Believe in Yourself

What’s on the show: Justine Timberlake, NPR, PBS, Shannon Sharp, Kamala Harris, Cowboy Carter, Superman

Stress Well Tip/Journal Prompt: Believe in you. Think about a time when you let self-doubt take over. What was the outcome? What lessons did you learn? Ultimately, you have to believe in yourself and your capability to be more than what others think of you or to rise to the occasion.

Entertainment Shananigans

Justine Timberlake's not-so-performances and Lyme disease

Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) will be shutting down after Congress passed a bill that cut funding for the corporation– NPR and PBS will still function. Smaller stations will be impacted

Kevin On Stages Churchy gets a second season on BET+ and a new series, The Hospital

Shanon Sharp and Chad Ochocinco- 20 million dollar lawsuit

Busta Bust got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Kamala Harris's 107 Days

One Music Fest

Cowboy Cater Tour comes to an end at 407.6 million gross and Shaboozey, Destiny’s Child

Superman Review

Superman is back, and it is my Pride and Prejudice, my A Christmas Carol, my Spider-Man. It is one of those movies that no matter how many different versions of it they create, I will watch. Now, I can’t say I was overexcited about this version, but I was looking forward to it.

Superman stars David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Broshahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hould as Lex Luthor, Maria Gabriela de Faria as Engineer, Isabela Merced and Hawkgirl, and Edi Gathegi and Mister Terrific, to name a few of the cast members. This installment follows Superman as he deals with the media backlash from his attempt to prevent an impending war between two foreign countries.

Audiences seem to love it from the ratings on Rotten Tomatoes at 83%, 4 out of 5 from Google reviews, and IMBd at 7/6/10. After watching it, I would say I agree. Before we get into a more robust breakdown, there are a few things about it I did not enjoy. Unfortunately, Lex Luther was one of them. Now, I do think the special effects were pretty cool and well done. The pacing could have been better, but I think that was partially because I did not care for Lex. With that being the case, the writing and bringing it all together could have been done better. The acting was mostly good. Nicholas Hoult committed. He gave it his all. I just don’t think he was given the best material. Maria Gabriela de Faria missed the mark for me. Again, I partially think it was due to the writing of her character, though. Everyone else did a great job acting wise. I thought the special effects were on point, and I do have a special effects-related scene.

Superman had a lot to enjoy. Unfortunately, there was enough to distract me from how good it could have been.

Superman 7/10

Listen to the show for more of a breakdown with spoilers

Clark Kent/Superman

Lois Lane

Justice Gang

Mister Terrific

Green Lantern

Hawk Girl

Krypto

The Engineer

Lex Luthor

Clark’s Family

Your Body, Your Power: Quotes from Rest is Resistance That Hit Deep

Powerful Quotes from Rest is Resistance: Tenet 2: Our bodies are a site of liberation

What’s on the show: Journal prompt. Tenet 2 from Rest is resistance. Do you know what dehumanization is? Parents don’t want to buy community school supplies. Social media death threats.

Journal Prompt: Write this quote down as your affirmation statement. “We are meant to survive, and ultimately thrive, because we are divine.”

We have multiple parts to this series, so I am going to stop numbering them at this point.

These four tenets are:

Rest is a form of resistance because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy.
Our bodies are a site of liberation.
Naps provide a portal to imagine, invent, and heal.
Our DreamSpace has been stolen, and we want it back. We will reclaim it via rest.

Tenet 2: Our bodies are a site of liberation

When I think of this second tenet, I think of how dehumanization is a prominent tool of oppression. It is a tool that allows for violence, genocide, and ruling over other living beings.

What is Dehumanization, Anyway?

Tricia Hersey Rest is Resistance Tenet 2 Qoutes

“When we finally wake up to the truth of what a machine-level pace of labor has done to our physical bodies, our self-esteem, and our Spirits, the unraveling begins.”

“We are wrapped up in a web that feels inescapable and hopeless. Will you trust me and trust your divinity enough to believe it is indeed not hopeless? Can you trust, even for a second that we can reside in a rested future?”

“The ongoing socialization and manipulation by the systems then become internalized, and we become the agents of grind culture”

“In order for a capitalist system to thrive, our false beliefs in productivity and labor must remain. We have internalized its teachings and become zombie-like in Spirit and exhausted in body. So we push ourselves and each other under the guise of being hyperproductive and efficient.”

SLOW DOWN

“We become rigid and impatient when our checklist isn’t completed to perfection. WE become less human and less secure. We believe we are only meant to survive and not thrive.”

“I clearly remember the moment it clicked for me how a capitalist, patriarchal, ableist, anti-Black system could never make space for the success I wanted for myself. The ‘success’ grind culture props up centers constant labor, material wealth, and overworking as a badge of honor. Resting is about the beginning process of undoing trauma so that we can thrive and evolve back to our natural state: a state of ease and rest.”

“We are meant to survive, and ultimately thrive, because we are divine.”

“Our everyday behaviours and false beliefs about productivity drive us into behaving in a robotic, machine-like way.”

“Liberation and oppression cannot occupy the same space.”

Happy Happenings

Fantastic Four: First Steps

Superman

Jurassic World Rebirth

Streaming

Sandman Season 3

Happy Gilmore 2

Previous Post

Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey Part 1Powerful Quotes from Rest is Resistance: Tenet 1 by Tricia HerseySubscribe to my substack newsletter

Why We Love the Messy Ones: When Celebrity and Fictional Characters Reflect Our Self-Sabotage

A Drop of Entertainment

Beyonce's 16 carriages malfunction, tour update

Beyoncé’s stolen music and other stuff

Halle Bailey's new boo, aka Scott Bridgeway, producer for Kendrick Lamar

Meg the Stallion and Klay Thompson

Jeff Bezos’ Wedding- 50 million bucks

Nick Cannon, the 12 kids, and a new show

Nelly and Ashanti- We Belong Together ended

Kanye West is still off the rails- Shanghai concert gone wrong

Nicki Minaj vs Jay-Z vs SZA vs Herself

QODThe poor long for riches, the rich long for heaven, but the wise long for a state of tranquility. – Swami RamaJournal Prompt: Have you ever self-sabotaged? Do you know why? What was the lesson learned? Do you still need to learn a lesson? Is it something you still do?

IronHeart series comes to an end.
Ironheart, starring Anthony Ramos, Dominique Thorne, Manny Montana, and Lyric Ross, ends with an intriguing cliffhanger.

Let's Talk Self-sabotage

Why do we self-sabotage
https://insightspsychology.org/self-sabotage-psychology-destructive-habits/

Self-sabotage basics
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-sabotage

Hot Drops and Happy Picks
Movies: Superman is number one
Music: Giveon and Justin Bieber's album drops
Books: Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

Ironheart, starring Anthony Ramos, Dominique Thorne, Manny Montana, and Lyric Ross, was released by Disney+ to some controversy and mixed reviews. And by controversy, I mean misogyny and racist hate. So there is this thing that racists do when they can’t help their racism in the entertainment industry. They tank a production with bad reviews when they haven’t even engaged with it. Similar to those who talked trash about Cowboy Carter without even having listened to it. Similar to those who already decided they hated the Little Mermaid live-action movie because Halle Bailey played Ariel. The same people who will hop on social media and leave terrible, disparaging comments on posts that they are hateful towards because they are racist or anti LGBTQ. They have to find a way to express the hate in their hearts when people are just trying to live their best lives. It’s called review bombing, and it was happening to Ironheart of Rotten Tomatoes before it was even released.

Fans rallied to counter the review bombing on Rotten Tomatoes, as it currently sits at 69%. I had the opportunity to watch it, so let’s talk about it. The cast has good chemistry together, and the acting is decent. The first 2 episodes were building up, and the third episode was a good way to end, while we have to wait till July 1st for the final three. I am ready for them now, so that’s a good sign. All in all, it gets a strong 7 right now but may increase after watching the full season.

Ironheart Episodes 1–3: 7/10

Journal Prompt: When have you been your worst enemy? What were the circumstances and outcome? Did you learn anything from it?

Entertainment Updates

Cardi B - including older songs (W.A.P and Up) to boost album sales for “Am I the drama”

Damson Idris on press tour for F1 (Brad Pitt movie) and talks of Black Panther

Brandy and Monica are going on The Boy Is Mine tour

Prosecutors in the Diddy Case rest. Jury deliberation to begin

Mahershala Ali still wants Blade (2019), and so do we. He is in Jurassic World: Rebirth

Tiffany Haddish: multiple baby daddy comments

Box Office: How to Train Your Dragon, 28 Years Later

We can be so toxic to ourselves. I am trying to be my best friend and treat myself with grace and kindness. That treatment includes how I take care of my body. I would say some of us could improve on how we care for ourselves. Sometimes we need to be better parents to ourselves. We are old enough now to set our guardrails and try to deter ourselves from danger. We are also old enough to allow ourselves to indulge in whatever we want, even if it is to our detriment. Nowhere is that more apparent than in American fitness.

Working out is a wonderful, beautiful thing. The benefits to our body and mind are phenomenal. But the effort it requires is mountainous, especially when it hasn't been a part of your routine in life. However, moving is detrimental to our quality of life.

In the article Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress, the Mayo Clinic lists 5 benefits that exercise will provide towards stress relief. Again, these are probably things that you have heard or been told before, but repetition will hopefully lead to action, so here goes.

Exercise:

Pump your endorphins

Cuts down on the negative effects of stress

Is meditation in motion

Improves your mood.

And, throwing in my own contribution to this list, if done right, can contribute to eliciting the relaxation response as well.

Now, on the flip side, a sedentary lifestyle is the kiss of death. I know that sounds quite dramatic, but it’s completely intentional. It needs to be taken seriously.

A sedentary lifestyle is what a lot of us can easily fall into because we might be trying to keep up with life’s ups and downs, and when we get a breather, we just want to rest. However, there is a big difference between resting and consistently not moving. It is spending a lot of time on your butt. It’s a lifestyle in which we hardly engage in physical activity. In the article, Health Risks of an Inactive Lifestyle, Medline Plus lists 10 health risks associated with an inactive lifestyle. Interestingly enough, these 10 health risks are very similar to the risk associated with poor stress management.

These risks include:

Obesity

Heart disease, including CAD and heart attack

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Stroke

Metabolic syndrome

Diabetes (Type 2)

Certain cancers

Osteoporosis and falls

Increased feelings of depression and anxiety

The article goes on to give some suggestions on how to start working on increasing our level of activity.

Personally, I am trying to get back into it because time waits for no one, and neither does age. It is not easy until it becomes habitual, and you don't stop. So here I go again because it is important. Exercise is a great stress reliever and helps to keep the mind sharp. Let's release some stress, balance ourselves out and get moving! The below pin from Pinterest is a good suggestion to kick-start a workout.

In this Show

Short & Stories

A Drop of Happy Shorts and Stories coming

Journal Prompt: What’s the one thing you do that always brings you some level of joy

Teaser: coming up, entertainment shenanigans cocoa, Tyler Perry lawsuit, Hot new couple, tiktok ban, main impacts of missed opportunities

Entertainment News

R. Kelly hospitalized

Congratulations, Colman Doming,o for Native Son Award

Beyoncé Carter’s Cowboy tour is killing the chitlin circuit

Teyana Taylor and Aaron Pierre make a beautiful couple

Mariah Carey's new song

BET Awards with Kevin Hart hosted: Glorilla, Snoop

The American Music Awards, with host J-Lo

Tyler Perry lawsuit, Straw

Brit Eady 20 million Bravo lawsuit

Shannon Sharpe lawsuit

Chris Brown May arrest in the UK

Justine Baldoni $400 million counter lawsuit dismissed

Diddy Trial follow Mona

TikTok ban but not ban again

Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try –Jack Canfield

Let’s talk about The 5 Types of Overthinkers

Let’s talke about FoMO. Cleveland Clinic Article: FOMO Is Real: How the Fear of Missing Out Affects Your Health

So missed opportunities can increase and impact the feelings associated with FoMO. I also think it affects our morale as well. As discussed in the Cleveland Clinic article as to why it happens, the link to low self-esteem and then depression makes sense.

The cause and cure is you. –Xscape.

I cannot stress enough the impact of trying vs not trying at all. It is like the act of living. We have to shift our mindset and find success in the doing because sometimes the ultimate outcome may not be all that we thought and then we will look for the next journey.

However, if we do nothing, we will have nothing or be in the same spot

The Power of a Proactive MindsetYou don’t have to chase what’s meant for you. What’s meant for you, will find you. -Alex ElleWhat is meant for you will find you, but you must be ready to receive it. I often imagine that some people may hear that quote and believe that if they think it or dream it, it will come. That is a wonderful sentiment but lacks a basis in reality. Because you have to lay the groundwork to not only receive it but, most importantly, first, recognize it. Sometimes that thing can be staring you down, but because you are not in a space to notice, the moment passes you by. Recognize and receive. Are you ready for it? What’s meant for you can be life-changing but only if you are ready to go in that direction. So it is not enough to dream about it, although that is a start, but we have to do the work. Of course, we don’t have to chase that thing down because if you are doing the work, I genuinely believe things will start to fall into place. You will notice, and the momentum will continue to guide you in the right direction. It’s a balance of being prepared to recognize and receive. Taking this a step further, we are not chasing down anything that is not for us, but we can be proactive in preparing for our success. Being proactive shows that we believe in ourselves, our efforts and have faith in our future. Article highlight from Psi Chi: Proactivity: The key to personal and professional successListen to the podcast for further discussion on the key highlightsPoractivity is impactful.Proactivity is a skill you can develop by engaging in:Self-efficacyGrowth mindsetFuture focusFive Strategies to be more proactive:Set SMART GoalsApproach goals with a growth mindset to anticipate obstacles and remain resilientBelieve in yourself and strengthen your self-efficacySeek opportunitiesEnvision your future success

Stress management tip inspired by Anotinette: Know when to lean on your support systemKnow that I took one for the team and watched this so you don’t have to. Listen to the podcast to get the real deal. I am giving you all the spoilers as well because you should not have to watch this to know what happens. Sorry, not sorry. She the People, a Tyler Perry Production, stars Terri J Vaughn as Antoinette Dunkerson, Jade Novah as Shamika, Jo Marie Payton as Cleo Dunkerson, Regi Davis as Butler Donald, Karon Riley as Michael, and Terrence “TC” Carson as Danny, to name a few. It follows Antoinette Dunkerson as she becomes the Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi. Tyler Perry HaterPride and PrejudiceCheck out my Mea Culpa Review Antoinette is losing the race for Lieutenant Governor until she is caught on video, protecting her daughter. Well, she punched her underage daughter’s older boyfriend, who took her to an adult party. After the video went viral, she surprisingly won the election.

The first step is getting to know yourself. Start the process by reflecting on what your values are and how they tie into your life.

Sinners: The One Thing That Stopped Me from Giving It a Perfect 10Stress Management Tip inspired by Sammie: Follow your heartYou must become unshakable in the belief that you are worthy of a big life –Kristin LohrSinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, was released on April 18, 2025, to high critical praise and a strong box office showing for an R-rated horror movie. It is poised to become a classic.

The quote “Life is a balance between holding out and letting go” is one of my favorite quotes by Rumi because it is so on point. When I think about how things got so out of wack so quickly and put it against this quote, I see that’s exactly what I’ve been doing wrong. Fighting for my life, holding on to the way that I thought was right. We sometimes do that thinking we are on the right track and it falls flat because we end up hurting ourselves. Here are five simple tips that I hope will help with the balancing act of life because we really all need a little grace and grounding sometimes.Start your day off with Intention- Reflect on your day and what you want out of it. Set a positive tone. Breathe and relax. Focus on one thing at a time- multitasking is not real. Give the one thing your full attention. Presence = PeaceProtect your “no”- No is a full sentence. You don’t have to do everything for everybody. Boundaries are important.Schedule your joy like it’s an appointment. Whether it’s a walk, a dance break, or watching a show, block out time for things that make you feel good. Don’t treat yourself as a side project. Rest before you are exhausted. Do not wait until you are about to drop because then it is too late.

Captain America: Brave New World – A Hero’s Journey Against All OddsJournal Prompt: What are three things I can do this week to take care of myself?Captain America: Brave New World starting with Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford was released in theaters on February 14th. Now, I admit that I did not have high hopes for this movie based on a couple of things. Ever since Avengers: Endgame Marvel hasn’t been hitting it like it used to and the trailers I’ve watched for Brave New World did not get me excited enough about this new Marvel movie. Nevertheless, I was determined to see for myself because the racist trolls were trying to take it down before it even got the chance all because they did not like a black Captain America. They did not even care that the storyline followed the comics and even had one host talking about how Steve gave the shield to some random black guy. Random (in my Soldier Boy voice)! We will not have it oh. So my son and I decided to check it out on opening night. Captain America: Brave New World finds Sam, the new Captain America, working closely with the President of the United States on a mission that ends up going sideways. Eventually, they find themselves on opposite teams again while Sam tries to get to the bottom of an evil plan to spark off a potential World War Three situation. Starring Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson aka Captain America, Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross, Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Giancarlo Esposito as Sidewinder, and Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley to name a few, Captain America: Brave New World does not disappoint. I was pleasantly surprised and entertained to the point that I will be watching it again. The pacing was well done and I appreciated it more the second time around. It started a tad slow but that was necessary to build the background and get us acclimated with the new Captain America and where he fits in the landscape of things. The acting and special effects were on point, but I particularly enjoyed the cinematography, especially with the air shots. The character development in this film was well done as they had layers of complexity and realism considering having to deal with the aftermaths of End Game. They did a great job showcasing the new Captain America’s strengths and skill set. I also enjoyed how they brought past movies to the current plot and tied up loose ends while potentially introducing the next Avenger phase. Overall, I enjoyed it and found it more substantive which I discuss further when I get into the spoiler sections. Let me just say my favorite character is Isaiah followed by Thaddeus and that’s because both actors, Carl Lumbly and Harrison Ford, did the darn thing. There were a couple of things that left me with a question mark which is why it will not end up with a 10. Captain America: Brave New World 9/10Spoilers aheadSo it starts with Sam as the new Captain America and the wannabe Falcon, Joaquin Torres assigned to a secret mission to retrieve a valuable item that was en route to Japan. We later find out the item was an adamantium sample that is at the center of a treaty Thaddeus is working on with three other countries. He is looking for collaboration on further mining and production of said mineral found in Celestial Island after the events of The Eternals movie. After which, we learn that the president invites Sam and Joaquin to the White House where Isaiah Bradley, a super soldier who was wrongfully imprisoned and tested on for 30 years, along with a few other personnel shoots up the white house event. It looks like, Isaiah was trying to kill the president but then runs off. Sam catches up with him and urges him to turn himself in. Sam then tries to talk to the president into letting him investigate but Thaddeus digs at him not being Steve Rogers or essentially not being the real Captain America. Sam gets upset and decides to investigate himself. He eventually finds out that Samual Stern is the master manipulator behind everything that has been happening with his ultimate goal for Theddues to turn into Red Hulk. Thaddeus, pushed to the edge by Stern's antics, eventually does turn into the Red Hulk, and Sam swoops in to save the day. In the process, they have an impressive air fighting scene involving Sam, Joaqui,n and a couple of other fight jets. Unfortunately, Joaquin gets badly hurt during this process and requires life-saving surgery which he gets and survives. We also have a Bucky sighting amid all the craziness. Listen for more on Sam Wilson played by Anthony MackieThaddeus Ross played by Harrison FordIsaiah Bradley played by Carl LumblySecret Agent Leila Taylor played by Xosha RoquemoreSidewinder played by Giancarlo EspositoRuth Bat-Seraph played by Shira HaasSamuel Stern played by Tim Blake NelsonCommander Dennis Dunphy played by William Mark McCullough

Harlem The Final Season: It comes to an end on PrimeJournal Prompt: How does my body feel today, and what does it need from me?I just finished the last season of Harlem and I am sad. I am sad because it was so good and now it has come to an end. Harlem was giving Sex and the City Harlem edition. I have said it before. Quinn played by Grace Byers is Charlotte. Camille played by Meagan Good is Carrie. Angie played by Shoniqua Shandai is Samantha. Last, Tye played by Jerrie Johnson is Miranda by default. Ian played by Tyler Lepley is Aidan if Carrie didn’t keep leaving his ass for Big. I mean, I am definitely simplifying it but you get the drift. So there are three seasons to Harlem that follow the four ladies through the ups and downs of trying to live their best professional lives and find love as they do it. I found this series to be fun and entertaining while touching on some real-life concerns that professional black women have as they navigate the dating scene. I enjoyed the peek behind the veil into their family dynamics. This gave an insight into who they are and why they made some of the decisions that they did. Quinn is the seemingly sweet, innocent, and idealistic one. She is flowers and roses and everything nice. Her family has money and she does pretty well for herself as a boutique owner and designer. It took her a while to find her way but she finally did focusing on her craft. Camille is hot-headed and impulsive and like a little hurricane. But she is loyal and cares deeply about her friends. She eventually does find the love that she deserves. Angie too is searching for herself and also finding good sex wherever she can get it. She is definitely the free spirit of the crew. I love that she often throws caution to the wind but struggles with her true calling at the same time. Tye appears to be the confident and secure one in all ways, and that’s where her complexity comes in because in reality, she is not secure at all. Tye pretends to have it all together, financially and emotionally. She is an open lesbian who loves playing the field. Ultimately that confident facade is nothing but a smoke screen to hide the fact that she is scared of facing rejection and the consequences of real-life choices. When things get emotional she runs. We follow these four through 3 seasons of ups and downs and family drama and finding themselves. Season three is by far my favorite season because it gave me a happy ending that was also fun and captivating. Lesson Learned: Know your worthHarlem Series 10/10Season three spoilersCamille was a little crazy and neurotic but I would like to blame that on her pregnancy and hormones. To catch you up to speed at the end of season 2 after she broke up Ian’s wedding and got back together with him, they spent some time in the honeymoon phase until Camille found out her chances of having a baby were slim. Then she decided she did not even want a baby. I had a problem with how she handled that whole thing because she never confided in Ian about her fertility issues which led to her deciding that she did not even want a child. This left Ian out in the cold because he wanted children and a family with Camille so badly. They end up breaking up over it. Fast forward to season three they decide they can be exes with benefits and spend some time sleeping together. It turns out that Ian is seeing other people and ends up getting together with his childhood friend. This throws Camille into a state. She is acting a little crazy to me but then she finds out that she is pregnant. She tells Ian, he is somewhat happy but does not seem overjoyed. At first, she does not want to keep the baby because she is afraid she will be a terrible mother like her narcissistic mother. She gets comforting advice from Ian’s aunt and decides to keep the baby. Ian tells her that he will help her but he is staying with Portia because he cares for her. Meanwhile, they bonded over her wanting to have children. She came to town to freeze her eggs and they ended up starting that process together. As time goes on, Ian is helping Camille with her pregnancy, Portia realizes that he still has feelings for Camille which he does not deny when confronted. She leaves and he gets back together with Camille. Ian really shouldn’t have started the relationship with Portia. It was clearly a rebound situation in which he was filling in all the gaps he had with Camille with what Portia could do for him which was ultimately give him a child and a family. The only problem is that he still really wanted those things with Camille. Ultimately, I am glad Portia had the sense of self-worth not to put up with that and she left. Quinn too had a bout of getting her sense of self and self-worth tested because she got with a gorgeous baseball player who she fell in love with and promised to give her everything she wanted. He stated he had strong feelings for her too and saw her as his main chick. Turns out that he is polyamorous and had a partner who was down to share him. Quinn went to meet with them and was overwhelmed by the girlfriend asking her 201 questions and talking about her STD testing regimen. It was a complete turn-off for Quinn and she was done. Again, knowing your boundaries and your self-worth is extremely important and allows her to make the right choice. She ends up deciding that she will freeze her eggs and have a baby alone. At the appointment, she meets her ex from season 2 and looks to be the start of something good. Tye and Angie are the most interesting for me this season. Listen to the podcast for the rest of the breakdown.

Rest is Resistance Part 2: Tenet 1 Rest is Resistance

It has been a while since I did Part 1 of Rest is Resistance and it is appropriate that I hop into it now because as things are happening around me, I need to remind myself that we are resting. I need to rest and focus on me and doing me and growing me and enjoying me. If there was ever a time to take rest as resistance it is now because I am tired!

For the rest of the parts, we will look into my favorite quotes from the book. For a review of the book and my thoughts, please return to part 1 (The Book Review Part 1).

Mind you these quotes are pulled from the introduction where Hersey introduces us to the four tenets of the nap ministry.

These four tenets are:

Rest is a form of resistance because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy.
Our bodies are a site of liberation.
Naps provide a portal to imagine, invent, and heal.
Our DreamSpace has been stolen and we want it back. We will reclaim it via rest.

“Grind Culter weekend or love of self and community”

Tenet 1: Rest is a form of resistance because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy.

“The systems have manipulated and socialized us so that we stay exhausted.”

“Capitalism was created on plantations. The roots of it are violence and theft. We as a culture gloss over this historical truth. But, to dive into the cracks of this reality is where a profound part of your deprogramming from grind culture resides.”

“The possibilities are infinite, although living under a capitalist system is to be confronted with a model of scarcity. This space makes you falsely believe there is not enough of everything: not enough money, not enough care, not enough love, not enough attention, not enough peace, not enough connection, not enough time. There is abundance.”

“Keep repeating to yourself: I am enough now.”

“All of culture is working in collaboration for us not to rest, and when we do listen to our bodies and take rest, many feel extreme guilt and shame.” “To understand that we are spiritual beings navigating life in a material world opens us to the possibilities of rest as a spiritual practice. Our entire living is a spiritual practice. Much of our resistance to rest, sleep, and slowing down is an ego problem. You believe you can and must do it all because of our obsession with individualism and our disconnection to spirituality. Nothing we accomplish in life is totally free of the influence of spirit and community. We do nothing alone.”

The Wolfman 2025 Movie ReviewThe Wolfman starring, Julia Garner and Christopher Abbott has been out for a couple of weeks now. Released in the US on July 17th, it had a lackluster box office opening weekend of just a little over 10 million. Currently, it is sitting at around 28 million with a mid-performance on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb. The movie follows a family who returns to a secluded town to take care of family affairs after learning of a relative’s passing. While they are in this remote part of the country, they encounter a ferocious beast and have to do all they can to survive the night. Now, you all already know, I don’t do scary movies anymore. There was a time when I would have been all over this but that time has been long gone for me. So naturally I had no interest in seeing this but I ended up watching it by default because the timing was right and we wanted to watch something. However, I was surprised that I ended up enjoying it. I consider it more of a thriller than horror. Nevertheless, it had me at the edge of my seat. The acting was well done. Christopher Abbott (I don’t know who this man is) did a phenomenal job. Julian Garner was solid as well and the little girl, Matilda Firth, did a good job portraying a scared confused daughter. It was just creepy enough and thrilling enough to keep me engaged. The pacing was just right as well. They let you find a false sense of security right before having you jump out of your seat. I also enjoyed how they let us see things from the wolfman’s perspective which was interesting and different and contributed to the viewer feeling closer to what was happening on screen. I give it a sold 7/10Spoilers

The Wind Down Entertainment Rewind 4

What are you doing to manage your stress? Remember to create and cultivate your safe space.

Top 10 Box Office for the weekend

Tonight’s Conversation and Kita Rose

Derrick Jackson on repeat. But why are ya’ll still listening to him?

Harlem is Back!

Hillmon TikTok University. How did I get enrolled?

Bruno Mars getting nasty with Sexy Redd- Fat Juicy and Wet

I Am Legend 2 trailer is fake

DeepSeek shaking things up in the tech sector

Tabitha Brown backlash because of Target and other DEI detractors

Casting of Children of Blood and Bones

Colleen Hoover gone ghost in the

Blake Lively Justine Baldonie Drama

One of Them Days Movie Review One of Them Days premiered at number two at the box office with Mufasa: The Lion King rising to the top again after being dethroned by Den of Thieves: Pantera the previous weekend.

One of Them Days starring Keke Plamer and SZA is produced by Issa Rae, the mastermind behind HBO’s hit Insecure. The film follows the two best friends and roommates as they navigate a wild and crazy day trying to gather their rent money so they do not get evicted. It is currently doing well with moviegoers staying with a strong 94% from Rotten Tomatoes and 7.2/10 from IMDb. The cast is popping with fan favorites from Katt Williams to Keyla Monterros Mejia to Lil Rel Howery. I was excited to see Joshua David Neal get his break because I have been watching his talents on TikTok for the past few years, and he’s got skills behind the camera more than in front of it.

One of Them Days is worth the high audience marks. I laughed out loud a few times in large part to Janelle James. Overall I thought it was an enjoyable movie. I love Keke Palmer but don’t usually love her acting. I think she tends to be a touch over the top but in her role as Dreux, she gave just the right amount of energy needed. Her chemistry with SZA is on point. Although it was a comedy, I found there were subtle layers that made the antics of their day a little more interesting. The pacing was just right, the acting was solid and the vibe was chill. Oh, I did not find Katt Williams funny in this one, but I appreciated his presence.

One of Them Days 8/10 comedy score

Listen to the entire show

Mufasa: The Lion King Sound TrackSo by now, you know how much I adore Mufasa: The Lion King. It is leaps and bounds better than the live-action version of The Lion King. However, that soundtrack though! It is composed by none other than Lin-Manuel Miranda and that might make me biased because of how much I love the music for Hamilton and Encanto. Mind you this soundtrack only has seven tracks but each one is impactful. Ngomos- I loved this opening to the film because it took me back to the first time I went to the movies. It was to see Coming to America and I got the same feeling from the beginning of that movie when Mbube Wimoweh by Ladysmith Black Mambazo started playing. It was more of a nostalgic moment for me but a great way to start the movie. Milele—This is a beautiful song that takes the time to lay the groundwork for the viewer to see and be a part of Mufasa’s destiny. I also really enjoyed hearing Anika Noni Rose’s voice again. I Always Wanted A Brother- This is the song that everyone is having fun with on social media, and I can understand why. It is fun upbeat and showcases the cubs getting to know each other, having fun, and getting into a little trouble. It also gives us a peak into Taka’s tendency towards entitlement in comparison to Mufasa who seems to have more compassion. This is particularly evident when they are talking about the birds being free vs Taka wanting to command them. When Mufasa tries to enlighten Taka, he gets bored with the topic. Taka basically spends the entire song making commands even though he is defending Mufasa. The song itself is a joy though featuring the cubs growing into lions. Bye Bye- My daughter was not a fan of this song but I enjoyed it. It is the villain’s time to shine and it comes across a little tongue and cheek. He is menacing and mocking at the same time. My favorite part is the “bye-bye” and when the chorus joins him and the cadence goes a little faster. We Go We Together- This is the song of the ragtag crew led by Rafiki, which, to me, was the heart and soul of the movie. This is my favorite song of the seven. You can get up and dance around and feel the beat. The melody and joining of voices are infectious, especially towards the end. We get to see the group grow closer and a glimpse into Taka’s delusion that Sarabi is somehow his. “If you wanna go far we go together!”Tell Me It’s You- This too is a well-crafted song between Mufasa and Sarabi as Aaron Pierre and Tiffany Boone’s voices really complement each other. This is when we see their relationship start to take form as Taka watches with growing jealousy. But here’s the thing, Sarabi was never into Taka. Not ever, not at all. Brother Betrayed - Taka gets his solo moment to shine and again this song hits especially since we know how things turned out with Scar. He’s still not a complete villain but he’s a spineless idiot. By now the audience knows he’s a coward because he ran when he was supposed to save his mother and he hid when he was supposed to save Sarabi leaving Mufasa to come to the rescue both times. Bother Betrayed is the last track and the strings and melody lead us nicely into the true treachery, which is Taka betraying his “brother” to Kiros.

The Wine Down Entertainment Rewind 3California FiresProtect your safe spaceSquid Games 2Chloe Baily and Burna BoyMegan MarkleMegan Thee StallionMegan GoodeAaron PierreMufasaWickedDon LemonJamie FoxxShort Drama'sAllison HolkerBlake Lively, Ryan Reynold, and Justine Baldoni

Mufasa: The Lion King- A Majestic Prequel Worth Roaring About

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Mufasa: The Lion King tells the story of a young Mufasa’s journey to become the Lion King. Along the way, the audience learns how Scar became Scar and how the two brothers came to have a falling out. Before I get into the spoilers, I have to say that I enjoyed the cinematography and setting. The voice acting was on point. I was surprisingly impressed with Blue Ivy as the voice of Kiara. Upon first watching, I gave it a 7/10 but then went home, and listened to the soundtrack after which I watched it again in the theaters. I definitely had a much more enjoyable experience the second time around because I was ridiculously engaged. I might as well have been one of the kids at that point. I have to say, this was so much better than The Lion King live-action.

The soundtrack track is a banger. Lin Manuel Miranda strikes again.

Beyoncé can't act

Blue Ivy potentially can

Mufasa: The Lion King: 9/10

What the internet is saying:

Chat GPT Summary

"Mufasa: The Lion King," released in December 2024, is a prequel to Disney's 2019 "The Lion King," directed by Barry Jenkins. The film explores Mufasa's origins, depicting his journey from an orphaned cub to the revered King of the Pride Lands.

The narrative begins with a young Mufasa, voiced by Aaron Pierre, who is separated from his parents, Masego and Afia, due to a catastrophic flood. Alone and vulnerable, he is adopted by a royal lion family, becoming a brother to Taka, the future Scar, portrayed by Kelvin Harrison Jr. This relationship is central to the story, highlighting the complexities and eventual rift between the two lions.

As Mufasa matures, he faces numerous challenges, including defending his adoptive pride from rival white lions led by Kiros, voiced by Mads Mikkelsen. His bravery and leadership during these conflicts pave the way for his ascension to kingship. The film also delves into Mufasa's romantic relationship with Sarabi, adding depth to his character development.

The story is framed through a narration by Rafiki, voiced by John Kani, who recounts Mufasa's tale to Kiara, with Blue Ivy Carter providing her voice. This storytelling approach enriches the film's depth, connecting past events to the present.

Critics have praised the film for its photorealistic animation, compelling storytelling, and musical score composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Notable songs include "I Always Wanted a Brother" and "Bye Bye," which enhance the narrative's emotional resonance. The film's exploration of themes such as orphanhood, family conflict, and the struggle for power has been highlighted as particularly engaging. The

Times "Mufasa: The Lion King" has also performed well at the box office, leading the Christmas Day earnings with $14.7 million from 4,100 theaters, and accumulating a total domestic gross of $64.3 million shortly after its release.

Entertainment Weekly Overall, "Mufasa: The Lion King" offers a rich backstory to one of Disney's most iconic characters, blending stunning visuals, a captivating narrative, and memorable music to create a compelling cinematic experience.

Exploring Looper’s Ultimate Sci-fi Countdown: A Dive into the Top 107 Best Sci-Fi Movies Part 2

My first look into Looper’s list was last June 2024. Obviously, I should have looked at the rest of the list to create a part 2 review long ago but here we are. Over six months later, they have updated from 98 to 107 which is understandable since new movies continue to make an entry. Will there be a part three? Yes, but I will try not to wait so long for the next installment before they change it up again. Link to the full article is below.

Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse

93 from 76 Lilo and Stich

79 from 71 Men in Black

78 from 70 Gravity

Gattaca

Black Panther

Pacific Rim

Sorry to Bother You

Looper

The Iron Giant

Minority Report

Frankenstein

Predator

Edge of Tomorrow

The Invisible Man

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Total Recall

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Superman: The Movie

Annihilation

Looper's Best Sci-Fi Movie of All Time Ranked

Curiosity Unleashed: Why Wonder, Not Doubt, Fuels True Knowledge

Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge.

To wonder is to be curious but also to be in awe. I think we can sit back and be in awe of things and admire them and appreciate them while still maintaining a sense of self. Having states of awe, I believe, inspires ingenuity and curiosity. It makes sense to me why then you can be in wonder of something and also wonder about something. Wonder opens our minds to exploration.

Articles

Eight Reasons Why Awe Makes Your Life Better

Awe may improve your mood and make you more satisfied with your life.
Awe may be good for your health.
Awe may help you think more critically.
Awe may decrease materialism.
Awe makes you feel smaller and more humble.
Awe can make you feel like you have more time.
Awe can make you more generous and cooperative.
Awe can make you feel more connected to other people and humanity.

The Mental Benefits of Seeking Awe

Why You Nee to Protect Your Sense of Wonder- Especially Now

Christmas Day football game and Beyoncé Bowel performance inspired me

Netflix to release a stand-alone special

Blue Ivy

Post Malone

Netflix IT made sure there were no glitches

Shaboozy

What is happening 1.14.25

CMAs made her get up out her seat with this special: My House

Black Bird: Tanner Adell, Brittany Spencer, Tierra Kennedy and Reyna Roberts

Homage to Black Cowboy Rodeo

Ashley Everett

Ja'Dayia Kursh: First Black Rodeo Queen

Let's review Harvard Business Review: Why Inspiration Matters

Losing You: The Art of Letting Go and Finding Yourself Again Be forewarned.

I sing on this podcast and it is bad but the song is so good.

Tell me the truth boy am I losing you for good? We used to kiss all night but now there’s just no use. I don’t know how I fight it, clearly we are through. Tell me the truth, boy, am I losing you for good?

In 2012 Solange Knowles, yes that Solange, released an album called True. I don’t even know if it was a real album release because it only had seven tracks but when I tell you, I loved that album. No. I love that album. It is an in-your-feelings album with the first track, Losing You, and it is a vibe. The entire album is a moody vibe and Losing You is a great way to kick it off.

Have you been in a relationship you know is over or feel is about to be? This song really captures the essence of being in that ambiguous space because maybe you still want to fight for the relationship but you only end up fighting alone. You end up wondering if is it really worth it if you are the only one willing to fight, willing to put in the work to continue.

“I know you’re waiting for the worst that you can get from me. Just treat me good and daby I’ll give you the rest of me. Im not the one that you should be making your enemy.” “There’s nothing more, I know you’re taking it away from me. I gave you everything and now there’s nothing left of me. I’m not the one you should be making your enemy.”

How do you manage a situation like that? It is more than you are in an argument and need to get past it by one of you apologizing and moving on. This is one where you know the other party has checked out but for whatever reason you are not ready to let go. It is a devastating experience if you have had the misfortune to go through it. Unfortunately, you do have to reach a point when you have to let go.

The emotional turmoil is even more challenging if you still love the person, but their behavior towards you makes it clear that the relationship is over. While letting go is never easy because there are so many doubts and questions about the future, it is an essential step towards healing and rediscovering your sense of self. That new plane and exploration can also be scary in itself.

Here are seven steps to how you can start on that path:

Acknowledge the reality of the situation

Allow yourself to feel your emotions

Set clear boundaries

Focus on self-care and discovery

Challenge false beliefs about love and loss

Seek professional support if needed

Visualize a better future

Ready to watch The Recruit Season 2 on January 30, 2025

The Recruit is an espionage drama series that follows the chaotic life of Owen Hendricks, and a headstrong lawyer who just started working for the CIA. Played by Noah Centineo, Owen is thrust into the deep end of international intrigue when he stumbles upon a threatening letter from Max Meladze, a former CIA asset currently in prison, demanding the agency clear her name or face the exposure of classified secrets.

What starts as a simple legal investigation quickly spirals out of control, pulling Owen into a world of high-stakes deception, deadly conspiracies, and global danger. With no field training and little experience, Owen must navigate ruthless criminals, foreign operatives, and dangerous CIA politics—all while trying to survive his first year on the job.

Listen at your own risk because this is full of spoilers

Owen

Max

Amelia

Lester and Violet

Terrance

Hannah

Dawn

Season 2 release date January 30, 2025

Tackle Procrastination and Find More Time and Less Stress

10 Steps

Acknowledge where you are and where you want to go (SMART goals)

Break down into smaller steps

Create accountability

Set deadlines and reassess

Access resources and ask for help

Create a time management plan

Reward yourself along the journey

Engage in healthy mind, body, and soul habits

Commit yourself by committing to yourself

Alex Cross Episode 4 Tid Bits

A look into grieving the loss of a spouse, partner, or significant other

Widows and widowers trigger warnings

Everyone handles things their own way

Family intervention

Faking the funk

Don't force your expectations on a grieving person

Dating

Top stressors

Eight steps to healing after the death of your spouse or partner

Meet Me Next Christmas Review and recapIt is that time for holiday movies and I am here for it. Netflix has so many that I do not even know where to begin but my first watch was Meet Me Next Christmas and I enjoyed it more than I expected. Meet Me Next Christmas stars Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, Kofi Siriboe, Kalen Allen and The Pentatonix. First of all you had me at Pentatonix because I love them. Now Meet Me Next Christmas is about two star crossed lovers that happen to meet each other on Christmas eve and hit it off but Layla, played by Christina, is currently in a relationship. Before leaving her the James, played by Kofi Siriboe, proposes that if they are both single next year that they meet up at the annual Pentatonix concert. I will not spoil it with the recaps just yet. But suffice to say, Layla ends up being single and goes on a little journey with Teddy, played by Devale, to meet with James at the concert the following year. It was a fun, cutesy watch. Christina Milian had really good chemistry with her male costars. Kalen Allen who played a cousin was a hilarious addition. I enjoyed Pentatonix role in the movie as well. They were also in Candy Cane Lane, I think last year, and they were fun but was more like a cameo where as in Meet Me Next Christmas they had a larger role and it was fun to see them interacting with each other. All in all it was a cute, wholesome movie to brighten your day. This rating is a Christmas RomCom rating.Meet Me Next Christmas: listenSpoilers, recaps and discussion ... listen for more

I needed a moment so I wrote a couple of poems and recorded a podcast show because I just needed a moment to be.

Adjust
Breathe in
know that it is
your time to feel what you
need to feel, your time to have a
moment
Wanda Toby @LiteviI Need a Moment

Ya’ll gonna give me a moment

A moment to feel what I feel
To sit in this pocket of disappointment
To let the letdown flow over me and settle
in the unsettled pits of my stomach
To bubble and gurgle and seethe
Just need a moment to adjust or
readjust to the dimming of hope that was ignited
a glow that dared to burn too bright in a time when darkness rallied
Ya’ll gonna give me a moment
A moment to feel what I feel
To get it together and figure it out
Am I going to fight or watch it burn
A moment to acknowledge my exhaustion
To cry at the loss of humanity at the choking hands of hubris
Just need these few minutes before
I gotta go to work

Wanda Toby

Article

A Psychologist’s Advice on How to Deal with Disappointment

Practice self compassion Shift your perspective with gratitude Build a support network Focus on what you can controland ...

A new research study examines the link between physical activity, sleep, and brain connections. Let's review and talk about it.

Podcast Highlights:* Physical activity, sleep, and brain connection * Heart rate variability (HRV) and you * What does HRV say about your ability to handle stress * Boost Activity Levels * Improve Sleep Quality

Resource Article

Daily habits like sleep and exercise can shape brain connectivity for weeks

Let's catch up

Halle Bailey and DDG break up

Janice Combs breaks her silence

Kim Porter's Lost Words removed

Kevin Hunter: Desperate

Ermalinda Paloma: Killer Mastermind

Box Office disappointment: Joker 2

Podcast Highlights What does it mean to recalibrate expectations?The link between high expectations and stressWell-being benefits of recalibrating expectations Practical ways to recalibrate expectations

Stress and Procrastination: Act Now

Podcast Highlights

The answer is: You must act now
Stress and Procrastination
Featured Article: Why You Put Things Off Until the Last Minute
Money is a good motivator
What is procrastination
My emergency room patient
Why do we procrastinate
Kids, teens, and procrastination
Instilling healthy habits
Angelica is that girl
Can we outgrow procrastination
Mental health and procrastination
You are not lazy
How do we know we have a problem
Tips for overcoming it

Reveal Your Thoughts: Part 2What are you feeling today?Reveal your thoughts to a trusted confident! Mighty you are Allow yourself to be seen not as you wish but as you honestly are not wounded yet vulnerable mighty In your sincerity a burgeoning healing takes root and grows like a mighty oak tree- Wanda TobyIn my research on stress management and wellness, I have found that the basics of the basics is knowing oneself. Knowing who you are, knowing what your values are, and knowing how you react to things allows a person to better prepare for life’s ups and downs. However, sometimes that is not enough. Sometimes you have to take it further and share certain parts of yourself. Share your feelings and emotions whether it be venting or expressing love or connecting on a mutual experience. Since we are social creatures we need to connect in ways that deepen our experiences. At the end of the day keeping things bottled up is not healthy.This leads to some salient points from the second of the two articles. How to make sense of your feelings and the importance of sharing them Part 2 ReviewWhy feelings:Feelings help us surviveFeelings promote emotional attachment and social interactionFeelings support growthFeelings move us towards health and ‘more life’Book of Answers: Reveal your thoughts to a trusted confidant

Let's recapCardi B and Offset break upNYC Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guiltyDiddy lawsuits are piling upKanye West announces new album Did Beyonce really lose 4 million followers on IG?Dancing with the Stars boots Anna Deley and she has a lot to say about itEllen DeGeneres: For Your Approval Netflix comedy specialWho landed on top at the box office: Lupita's Wild Robot?

Shocking: Supermodel Warns Against Ozempic—Here’s Why!

Let's discuss our obsession with weight loss and the lengths we will go to to lose a few pounds.

Featured articles:

Kate Moss' sister issues warning after Ozempic overdose: 'Worst decision I ever made'

1 in 4 adults would consider using weight loss drugs without prescription: Study

The DeliveranceThe Deliverance playing on Netflix and starring Glenn close as Ebony's mom, Alberta, Andra Day as Ebony, Caleb McLaughlin as her son, Demi Singleton as her daughter, Monique as Cynthia who was the social worker, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Tasha Smith which I always love seeing in a cameo role. It is a horror suspense story that basically follows this family that moves into a house and there is an evil spirit that possesses the youngest son and subsequently the rest of the family. The Deliverance is reported to be based off a true story.

Sean Combs was arrested and as of Tuesday, his request for bail arrangement have been denied.

03:00 Making The Band

05:40 Cassie Ventura left and filed a lawsuit

07:00 Drama of his own making

09:10 Self-preservation mode

11:00 Recent Diddy headlines

21:00 Yahoo Article "Sean 'Diddy Combs' denied bail; Indictment alleged 'freak offs,' guns, arson and other shocking allegations

40:00 What are your values: Don't be a ish person

42:00 Journal prompt: When were you an ish person and how could you have been better

Like, subscribe, share, come back, and remember to always strive to live lite and stress well.

Affirmation: I am the author of my story

Let's talk about Shannon Sharp, Sean (Diddy, Puffy, Puff Daddy, Love) Combs, and the case for resilience, including the four core components of resilience: connection, wellness, healthy thinking, and meaning.

Building Your Resistance

Reveal Your Thoughts: Part 1

What are you feeling today?

Reveal your thoughts to a trusted confident!

In my research on stress management and wellness, I have found that the basics of the basics is knowing oneself. Knowing who you are, knowing what your values are, and knowing how you react to things allows a person to better prepare for life’s ups and downs. However, sometimes that is not enough. Sometimes you have to take it further and share certain parts of yourself. Share your feelings and emotions whether it be venting or expressing love or connecting on a mutual experience. Since we are social creatures we need to connect in ways that deepen our experiences. At the end of the day keeping things bottled up is not healthy.

This leads into some salient points from these two articles.

The Case for Embracing Our Emotions Part 1 Review

Emotions can help us learn about ourselves
Emotions can help us relieve stress
Emotions can help us make good choices
Emotions can help us connect with others

Let me tell you how not even ten minutes into this movie, I was ticked all the way off. Because who the hell are these evil, small-town, backward-ass police officers to manhandle and malign this man, Terry Richmond, who was simply riding his bike while being black!

Rebel Ridge takes place in a small town, you know the Jason Aldean type small town, the sundown type small town, the small town that you drive carefully through, the small town that really should just be avoided driving through, of Shelby Springs where Terry Richmand, former Marine, is trying to post bail for his cousin. Unfortunately, before he can do that, he runs into a pair of bad-apple-cops that abuse him and steal the money he was going to use for bail. I thought, oh this is a Jason Statham movie where he now has to kick everyone’s ass to get revenge.

Rebel Ridge stars not-so-newcomer Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond, AnnaSophia Robb as Summer McBride, Don Johnson as Cheif Sandy Burnne, and David Denman as Officer Evan Marston. This movie was in the making for quite some time and had some delays before being released one of which was losing their leading man, John Boyega. He ended up pulling out the movie which stirred some rumors but later released a statement that he had to leave the production due to family reasons. In comes Aaron Pierre, another British actor, to take over the role. All in all the acting was solid.

Although the overarching theme is police brutality mixed with the good old dose of small-town prejudice, Rebel Ridge introduced an overlooked area of exploitation of “legal” seizure of assets during a police stop also known as civil assets forfeiture. In the movie, Summer revealed that they can keep the money even if the person is not charged with any crimes and to get it back one would have to go through a costly legal battle which is usually not worth it. This was another layer of messed up corrupt activity happening in this town. So plot-wise and storyline-wise they had a lot to work with because that was only the tip of the corruption happening in Shelby. I thought they did a good job of not-so-subtly but subtly enough weaving those themes in.

My main issue with this movie was that it sorta kinda got boring at times. Which, weirdly enough, I cannot completely attribute to the pacing though. I thought the pacing was good because it allowed for some understanding and background building. I really wanted to see more well-placed action. Maybe I just wanted to see more of Terry kicking ass. I cannot quite figure out what the issue was but it needed a little umph where umph was not. Aaron Pierre and how they wrote him and how he carried out the character I thought was very well done and I would love to see more of Terry Richmond. My other issue was the ending. I don’t care for ambiguity and filling in the blanks. I like things to be tied up in a nice bow and clarified. It did not give me that.

Again, I enjoyed the cast and their chemistry. The film definitely evoked emotions and Aaron as Terry Richmond did his thing. Is he the next big thing? I hope he doesn’t have any skeletons hidden anywhere because once a brother starts to rise there’s a target on his back. I am rooting for him though. I have not watched any of his other projects except Old and I don’t remember his character so I am going to have to revisit that. The others are mostly on my avoid list but I hear he does hold his own. So I am looking forward to what he will bring to the table.

Rebel Ridge 7.5/10

Listen! Listen, listen, listen to me! Go see this movie. I realize I am late on seeing Alien: Romulus as it came out in theaters two weeks ago, but I have arrived. I was on the edge of my seat for most of this film. They went with a younger crew this time, portraying a group of green young adults who were just in search of a better life. There was an affinity towards them succeeding built in early on. Considering, I had recently rewatched the first Alien movie, this one felt almost full circle to me. This of course was the intention considering it is somewhat of a sequel to Alien and a prequel to Aliens, taking place 20 years after the events of Alien.

Alien: Romulus follows Rain, played by Cailee Spaeny, and her “brother,” Andy played by David Jonsson, as they decide to help scavenge a ship so they can realize their ultimate dream of going to another planet where they can see the sun. They join a group of four others to steal some well-needed supplies from an abandoned ship that has orbited into the range of their planet.

What are you feeling today?

Cast your net wider!

Sometimes we may be limiting ourselves whether it be physically or mentally. Sometimes we need to let those things go that keep us bound.

Break free from those barriers and cast your net wider but what does that really mean?

Reach out more than you thought you could. Open yourself more than is comfortable. Open your mind to new possibilities. When I think of casting your net wider, I think of expanding oneself. This is different from extending yourself or spreading yourself too thin. Please do not do that. We spread ourselves enough. This means being more open to the varieties that life has to offer.

Do not limit yourself. This requires self-awareness and imagination. It is not easy but you can start by thinking about who you currently are, where you currently are and what can you do to broaden your mind.

Successful People: The 8 Self-limiting Behaviors They Avoid

How Negative Self-beliefs Can Impact Your Life

Belle is now available to stream for free with commercials on YouTube movies. It stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Belle and a great supporting cast. This came out some years ago but I did not catch it at the time. Glad I was able to watch this time around.

01:05 Journal prompt: Self-love Affirmations

02:28 Movie review

06:20 Zong trials

08:00 Movie Rating

10:30 It's on YouTube

11:00 Spoiler alert. Stop here or keep going for a summery

11:30 Summary and movie discussion

Book review and deep dive in Tricia Heresy's book Rest is Resistance.

This is not a movie review of It Ends with Us. It is a look into the behind-the-scenes drama and why we sometimes must be careful of what we choose to watch.

01:57 Journal prompt: The Unexpected

04:49 Healthy escapism

07:20 Colleen Hoover for the money

08:15 Justine Baldoni

09:20 The Drama

11:54 Bridgerton

18:45 Triggered

Deadpool & Wolverine’s USA release has held the number one spot for the past two weeks. It also has the record of being the highest-grossing R-rated movie opening. I contributed to that by taking myself to the movies to check it out. The critics love it apparently. Rotten Tomatoes has it at 79% and IMDb at 8.1. Google Reviews has it at 4.5/5. Did I enjoy it? Yeah. I think what I liked most about it was the easter eggs and the nostalgia from the different superhero characters showing up. I did not watch most of the previews. Once I heard Wolverine was in it, I already knew I would see it. So I was pleasantly surprised seeing Elektra played by Jennifer Garner, Blade played by Wesley Snipes, Johnny Storm played by Chris Evans, and Gambit played by Channing Tatum.

The story's writing could have been better but I enjoyed the entertainment value.

Deadpool & Wolverine Podcast Timeline

00:20 Journaling benefits

01:22 This show’s journal prompt

03:33 Deadpool & Wolverine the critics loved it

05:30 Pleasantly surprised

05:52 Channing Tatums Gambit

07:22 My rating out of 10

11:00 Recap and Spoilers

Looper released a list of the top 98 sci-fi movies of all time and we need to discuss. First of all, how many of these movies have you seen? So far out of 28, I have seen 11 of them. So maybe my sci-fi card is safe. This is Part 1: 98-70 of the list.

3:44 Stress management tip: benefits of reading

4:44 Looper article

5:33 98-96 Zardoz, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, The Mitchells vs. The Machines

7:29 Demolition Man

10:45 Independence Day and Donnie Darko

13:30 The Martian

15:50 Fast Color

18:20 Interstellar

20:09 Dredd

27:14 Contact

29:00 Cloud Atlas

30:10 10 Cloverfield Lane

32:20 Little Shop of Horrors

35:00 Men In Black

36:25 Gravity

Movie Review of Godzilla x Kong: The New EmpireAlso what happened to The Duke the Lady and A Baby?Reviews to come:Dune 1 & 2Kung Fu Panda 4Civil War

Sometimes we can get in our own way even with the best of intentions. I have been getting in my own way.

Why haven't I posted for over 4 months? How can we reset?

Let's dig into some of the highlights from Dr. Kim D'Eramo's video

Stop "Working On Yourself"

I am ready to get back into the groove of things. Are you?

Finding Me by Viola Davis was published back in April of 2022. It is so rich and full of life lessons that I have to review in two parts. The book is phenomenal or maybe, I found Viola Davis to be phenomenal either way Find Me: A Memoir was a treat. I do not know why it took me so long to read it. That is a lie. I don’t usually read autobiographies. I only recently, a few years ago, started reading nonfiction books regularly to begin with. So, my inclination is not to run out and grab a memoir when it is released. I have listened to a couple in the last few years though and look forward to listening to more.

Finding me blog post

The Book of Clarence Movie Review I was not ready for The Book of Clarence. I was not sure what to expect because I did not get much from the previews besides Clarence being a fake Jesus.

Give yourself the space to do nothing and have some mental downtime.

Leave the World Behind follows a family that booked a vacation home away from the city for a little rest and relaxation when an unexplained blackout happens and they along with the vacation homeowner have to figure out what the heck is going on. Starring Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali. Let's talk about it.

A gentle reminder that the feeling of being overwhelmed and frazzled during the holidays just may be normal and a sign of stress. Yes, stress. Holidays can be stressful for so many different reasons. In November the American Psychological Association came out with an article that referenced that about 89% of people polled have holiday concerns related to money, missing loved ones, and thinking about all the drama that sometimes comes with the jolly season.

Let's talk about it.

Trying out new mics so break with me on the sound :)

In-depth discussion about the Vessel article, If you want a More Joyful life, Say goodbye to these 10 behaviors.

What are those behaviors and how can you lead a more joyful and stress well life.

The Killer staring Michael Fassbender is number one on Netflix movies after its November 10th release. Let's review and talk about it.

The Marvels starring Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani and Samuel L. Jackson movie review.

Quoting Billie Holiday 7 tips on overcoming the funk Tutan Submarine Secret Invasion, Blackening, Flash Student loan Debt decision

Back in the hot seat with his new girlfriend, Meagan Good by his side.

Lawyer for Marvel's Jonathan Majors blames NYPD 'racism" for his domestic violence arrest.

All things are difficult before they are easy.

Recently a TikTok post has gone viral for talking about the benefits of heavy metal music. But really music itself is a wonderful tool to add to your stress management tool kit.

The links are below to the articles discussed

Doctor Explains That Listening to Heavy Metal Lessens Stress, Promotes Thinking + More The Power of Music to Reduce Stress

Let's talk about Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Did you watch it? If you haven't join us anyway. You will get a spoiler warning.

Music Musings on the beautiful song ICU by Coco Jones. What do men and women really want?

I have watched Coco Jones as Hilary Banks on Bel Air and had no idea she was also a singer until this song was released. The song is beautiful to me for several reasons. The first one is that the melody is just pleasing to my spirit and plays so smoothly over my ears. Her voice accompaniment makes me sway and reminisce. The lyrics are everything as well.

Listen to her song on Youtube

Movie Review and discussion on The Little Mermaid

Halle Bailey is beyond special in the role. Her voice was perfect and she was perfect. Also starring in the film are Johna Hauer-King and Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, and Javier Bardem and King Triton. Shout out to Simone Ashley from season 2 of Bridgerton who appeared as one of the sister mermaids.

Deadline Article: The Little Mermaid’ Splashes To $164M Global Bow, But There’s Something Fishy Overseas As Disney Pic Beset By Review-Bombing

Sometimes we get so caught up and getting things done that we forget to take care of and nurture ourselves.

You People movie review.

Starring Eddie Murphy, Jona Hill, Lauren London, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Nia Long, and David Duchovny

Spoilers start around the 13-minute mark.

Let's talk about your thoughts on this romcom published on Netfilx.

Tyre Nichols' death has once again triggered the nation. Remember to protect your mental space through it all.

Let's talk about adding some routine to our lives. Feeling a little out of sorts? Are you like me and life is a little unbalanced? Let's talk routine.

Can this be real? Can I really get happier in just 3 minutes a day? Well, researchers say yes.

Let's get into this article published on CNET by Alison DeNisco Raymone

Boost Your Happiness in Just 3 Minutes a Day -- Really

Review and discussion of Netflix new series The Watcher 11 Touch of anxiety tips 14 The Watcher spoilers and episod discussion 20:30 Confidence and affirmations

A few weeks ago Tik Toker Mikayla Nogueira came under fire for some comments she made. Luvvie Ajayi Jones shared a different perspective. Now it's our turn to talk about it and, of course, stress.

It's October and what better time to talk about a vampire killing pool cleaner. Day Shit movie review now playing on Netflix. Spoilers start at about 9 minutes.

A discussion of the SciTech article, "Viruses May Be 'Watching' You – Lying in Wait Before Multiplying and Killing." Connecting the dots between viruses and stress management.

Read the article yourself: "Viruses May Be 'Watching' You – Lying in Wait Before Multiplying and Killing."

Subscribe and share.

Let's talk about The Women King, the controversy, the trauma and the spoilers which start at the 13 minute mark 😏.

Eating More fruit and fewer savory snacks predicts better mental health study finds. Let's talk about this article.

You can read the full article below. We discuss the highlights

Eating more fruit and fewer savory snacks predicts better mental health, study finds

Halle Bailey playing Ariel in the new Little Mermaid Review of Skin of the Sea of Natasha Bowen.

Discussion of Psychology Today article with the breakdown of the three pillars of psychological flexibility.

You can read the full article here.

The Most Important Skill Set in Mental Health

Let's talk about the Step Sisters movie now streaming on Netflix and its failed attempt to tackle bougie black people issues.

Lizzo been minding her business while people insist on talking about her. Well, let's talk about the real issue on health and wellness in America.

Starting over is not a bad thing. Devil Wears Prada movie talk. Get inspired.

Movie review and discussion of Beast starring Idris Elba. Stress well tip to start Idris talk at 8.05 Spoilers at 21.35

Let's talk about an often overlooked stress management tool. You and your values. Build stress resilience the natural way.

Let's talk movies. Bullet Train starring Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock. Was it good? Favorite characters? Spoilers start at 11:30. Lessons learned?

Movie Review and discussion of nope. You'll be notified when the spoilers are coming.

Movie review and discussion. Spoilers at 13:45. Let's talk about the lessons learned. 7/10 and why.

Spiritual gym and how it ties to stress management

Stress management balance Movie talk about Mr. Malcolm's List

How can you use the Book of Answers for Self-reflection and stress management. Also Movie Review of Moonfall at the 11 minute marker.

Music Musings: Cool People by Chloe x Halle Music is a wonderful too for helping us build our stress resilience. Let's jump into the emotions Cool People by Chloe x Halle can resonate with you.

What's your bully status? Journal Prompt. Entertainment talk on movies and streaming popular this week.

Journal Prompt: Think of bullying situations in your life and how you have grown from them whether you were the one being bullied or the one doing the bullying? Do you still have work to do?

Cheslie Kryst dies after jumping from a NYC building. How do we grasp this.

Continuing our dive into Jen Sincero's You are a Badass Everyday: How to Keep Your Motivation Strong, Your Vibe High, and Your Quest for Transformation Unstoppable

Stresswell with music. A discussion of Muni Long's hot new single Hrs and Hrs

Movie review and thoughts on Netflix hit Don't Look Up.

Final Destination 5 now playing on Netflix. Quick review and thoughts on the latest movie. What did you think?

What I learned or took away from Jen Sincero's You are a Badass Everyday: How to Keep your motivations strong, your vibe his and your quest for transformation unstoppable.

Movie review of the new Matrix Resurrections film starring Keanu Reeves and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

An introduction to building your stress management toolkit. Take this introductory Stress management course before signing up for my free coaching session. The session will be to review and tighten up your plan.

A view on the YouTube video, Hustle Culture: Why we can't stop working

Manage stress by riding the flow of your emotions

Book review Talon of God. Theme: Don't let fear steal from you.

Published blog post November 20th for reference.

A discussion on self-esteem and behavior and how it affects how we deal with stress.

In order to first use that nervous, stressful energy for good we have to get our minds in a place that allows us to be receptive to the good vibes around us.

Stress Less Tip 13: Back to Basics We get so used to going and going that we don't stop to rewind.