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Meet the hosts: Angelica Yarde and Charisma O’Keefe

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Episode Transcription

00:00:00.70
Angelica:
Hello, friends, and welcome back to the Heart + Hustle Podcast. I’m Angelica Yarde.

00:00:04.61
Charisma:
And I’m Charisma O’Keefe. We’re here every Monday talking about entrepreneurship, business, wellness, and so much more. We’ve been podcasting for quite some time, alternating between solo episodes like this one and featuring amazing guests from a variety of industries who share insights about their businesses. Today, we’re excited to talk about our goals for 2025.

00:00:29.81
Charisma:
Last week, we provided updates on where we are in our careers because, as entrepreneurs, our roles evolve over time. If you’re new here, last week’s episode is a great starting point. Today, we’ll dive deeper into what we hope to achieve in 2025.

00:00:50.81
Angelica:
Absolutely! If you have your own goals for the year, we’d love for you to share them with us on Spotify, Instagram, or wherever you connect with us. For our podcast, one of our main goals is to optimize your experience. With our rebranding efforts, we’re focusing on creating valuable, original content for entrepreneurs. There’s a lot of information out there that feels repetitive or unfocused, and we’re working hard to provide insightful and unique perspectives.

00:01:34.26
Angelica:
As I mentioned at the end of last week’s episode, I’m working on an education-focused episode. This year, we want to continue exploring various markets and industries to help our audience learn and grow alongside us.

00:02:00.50
Charisma:
Exactly. While AI can be useful, it’s important to have content created by people with real-world experience. These days, a lot of articles and advice are generated by AI, and they miss the nuances you only learn by actually doing the work. For us, it’s incredibly valuable to speak with people in diverse industries and dive into the details of their experiences.

00:02:52.91
Charisma:
We understand why AI is being used more—it’s tough to keep up with the demand for daily content. But that often leads to a lot of noise. Our goal is to cut through that noise by sharing genuine experiences, practical advice, and human stories.

00:03:37.05
Angelica:
Another major goal for us this year is fostering stronger connections within our community. We want to grow and deepen our relationships with our listeners while creating opportunities for you to connect with one another. This means we’ll be more active on social platforms, engaging with you in new ways, and asking for your input during episodes.

00:04:17.60
Angelica:
One of our biggest priorities is creating spaces where our listeners can engage with us and with each other. You all already share a common interest by listening to this podcast, and we want to build on that by encouraging more interaction. We’re also excited to learn more about your businesses, answer your questions, and help you feel more confident in what you’re doing.

00:04:58.93
Angelica:
For example, at your birthday dinner this past weekend, one of your friends mentioned they remembered a resource we shared on the podcast five years ago. That kind of connection is exactly what we want to foster—conversations where we can recommend resources and hear how they’ve impacted your lives and businesses over time.

00:05:30.00
Angelica:
We’re here to continue building those connections, providing useful resources, and exploring how we can all grow together. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, collaboration, and success!

00:05:28.04
Charisma:
Last year, my word of the year was “community.” Each year, I choose a word to embody, and during challenging times, having a strong community is crucial. Community isn’t something that always happens naturally—it’s often something we have to intentionally build.

00:05:48.66
Charisma:
I feel like, especially in America, we’ve been losing the art of building community. For our global listeners, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how this compares to your experiences. In the U.S., building community is incredibly important given what we’re navigating politically and socially. As entrepreneurs, it can feel even more isolating.

00:06:02.37
Charisma:
If you work in an office, you might have a built-in community. It’s not guaranteed—you might not click with coworkers—but when it works, it can be a wonderful experience. As entrepreneurs, especially solo entrepreneurs, that sense of community is often missing. It’s essential to build a support system of people you can rely on, bounce ideas off, and learn from.

00:06:54.34
Charisma:
Having a community is critical for navigating the many challenges we face as entrepreneurs. Whether it’s a local, in-person network or an online community—or a combination of both—it’s important to create spaces where you feel supported.

00:07:12.03
Charisma:
We want this podcast to be part of your community, a third space where you feel connected and supported. That leads us to our next goal for the year: expanding the experience. While we’ll continue podcasting and engaging with you here, we’re looking at new ways to connect, whether that’s through social media or in-person events.

00:07:39.47
Charisma:
We want to grow this community beyond just the podcast. Expanding our engagement means offering more ways for you to interact with us and feel connected.

00:07:57.36
Angelica:
That’s so true. We’re working hard behind the scenes to find more valuable resources and move beyond the Entrepreneur 101 space. We’ll always support those just starting out, but we also want to provide content and experiences for more seasoned entrepreneurs. Our focus is on meeting you where you are, both as professionals and as individuals.

00:08:38.36
Angelica:
We’ve teased this in the past, but this year, we’re leaning into creating more experiences to help you find the balance between work and life that so many of us talk about but struggle to achieve.

00:09:00.40
Charisma:
I’m really excited about our podcast goals this year. I don’t think we’ve ever set specific podcast goals before.

00:09:07.77
Angelica:
We haven’t—this is a first.

00:09:09.53
Charisma:
I don’t usually do resolutions; I prefer setting goals. The difference, for me, is that goals are actionable. I map out the steps and plan how to achieve them, instead of making vague resolutions that I forget about until November.

00:09:35.80
Charisma:
These podcast goals are something we’ve been planning for a while, and I’m confident they’ll come to fruition in 2025. We’re excited to share these goals and also dive into our personal and work-related goals for the year. Planning is key—just saying something without creating a plan makes it hard to follow through.

00:10:12.56
Angelica:
I completely understand that for people who haven’t experienced time in corporate or were in a corporate setting where goal-setting wasn’t taken seriously—which is the case in many places—it can be challenging to do that type of work on your own.

00:10:30.59
Angelica:
Setting and creating goals involves so many different approaches. You have to figure out what works for you, but the real challenge is the follow-through. Writing goals or a list of things you’d like to do is the easy part. Actually breaking those down into micro-goals and actionable tasks is much harder. Many people get overwhelmed by this process and often opt out. They might think, “I don’t need goals; I know what I want to do,” but there’s a level of accountability that’s necessary—and it can feel very rewarding.

00:11:08.94
Angelica:
Writing these goals down and creating SMART goals can make a big difference. I’ll provide some resources on SMART goals and what they entail to help anyone who wants to try this exercise for themselves.

When it comes to business goals, one of my main focuses is sustainable growth. As entrepreneurs, we all have growth goals—specific numbers or achievements we want to reach. But for me, sustainability is key. It’s about maintaining growth while balancing work and life—being a mother, friend, sister, and entrepreneur, all while navigating life as a Black woman in America.

00:12:18.59
Angelica:
It’s essential to grow without burning out. I know I can push myself to do things very well, but I’ve also burned out in the process. Now, I want to approach growth in a way that allows me to avoid constantly hitting a wall. This means setting boundaries, establishing hard stops, and saying no to certain things I might have taken on in the past. My goal is growth that’s not only sustainable but also smart.

00:12:53.98
Charisma:
I love that. Like you said, setting boundaries can really help you grow in so many ways. It’s challenging if you’re not experienced with it, but it makes such a big difference.

00:13:13.23
Charisma:
My first work goal is to own another business by the end of the year. When I say this, I don’t mean I’ll necessarily own the business by myself—I most likely won’t. In fact, I don’t think I’ll even own 50% of it. I’m thinking more along the lines of owning about 25%.

00:13:40.74
Charisma:
I’m not sure what that business will be yet. I have two or three options in mind, with two being potential acquisitions—businesses that already exist, where I’d come in as a co-owner. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

I’ve always owned my own business and primarily worked as a solo entrepreneur. I’ve hired contractors and such, but I’ve never had someone I worked with consistently. Our podcast, which is a business itself, has been super rewarding because we can split the workload.

00:14:21.26
Charisma:
Over the past few years, I’ve also started working with my husband, which has been really fun. Sharing the workload means we can accomplish so much more. That’s the direction I want to take for growth.

00:14:44.70
Charisma:
I’ve met some amazing people who would make great business partners. It’s just about finding the right fit. One of them is really into acquiring businesses, while I’ve always been more focused on starting businesses from scratch. I love the process of building a business from the ground up. That’s why I’ve worked with so many new entrepreneurs—helping them get their branding, website, marketing, and business plans together.

00:15:11.65
Charisma:
I love that beginning stage, but I also see the benefits of acquiring a business. I think that’s probably the route we’ll go. It’s not an immediate thing, but it’s something we’re exploring. By the end of the year, I’m confident we’ll find a good fit.

00:15:31.58
Angelica:
You just have to find the right fit.

00:15:32.44
Charisma:
Exactly. My goal is to build a business portfolio. This first business I co-own with others will be a big step. It’s important to make a smart choice initially so that it doesn’t cost me a fortune and instead helps me make money. That way, I can eventually invest in a second or third business. Having a business portfolio is the long-term goal, and we’re getting started on it this year.

00:16:01.83
Angelica:
I have some ideas too! There’s a local Black-owned donut company here that’s always looking for investors. They’re on my shortlist.

00:16:12.10
Charisma:
You know my brain so well because they’re on my shortlist too! Let’s not say their name just yet—I don’t want someone else to scoop them up.

00:16:22.58
Charisma:
If I invest in them, I’ll share the name here. They’re definitely at the top of my list. For me, it would be with other people as well—I wouldn’t be the main person. I’d be contributing more sweat equity than capital.

00:16:30.83
Angelica:
Right.

00:16:40.72
Charisma:
There are so many ways to make things happen. People often think, “I’m not wealthy, so I can’t own multiple businesses or invest.” But that’s not true. There are different ways to get involved. Start by talking to people in your area—small business owners, large business owners, everyone.

00:17:09.32
Charisma:
Growing a business often requires different types of people coming together to build a strong foundation. Networking and getting to know people in your area are great first steps toward investment opportunities and building a business portfolio.

00:17:28.50
Angelica:
Absolutely. That’s a topic for an entire episode: how to invest in businesses without needing a lot of cash. It’s something we should dive into more because it’s a huge part of what we do. Most people don’t realize this because educational resources on the subject aren’t widely available—it’s not something typically taught in college.

00:17:52.91
Charisma:
Exactly.

00:17:55.87
Angelica:
No one teaches you, “This is how you approach a business.”

00:17:56.91
Charisma:
Right. I went to business school—and famously dropped out—but most of what I’ve learned about business wasn’t taught there. That’s not to say college doesn’t have its place; it’s incredibly important.

00:18:28.08
Charisma:
For me, though, I needed to keep making money, so I juggled school and work for three years, and it was a lot. It’s wild how limited the education you receive in school can sometimes be. You’ll learn more from doing the work and talking to people who’ve already done it. That’s how you get a faster, broader education.

00:18:46.54
Angelica:
Absolutely.

00:18:55.87
Angelica:
My second goal is to explore new service offerings and product lines. Some things that worked in the past no longer serve the current market or our growth. As we’ve evolved, certain services or products just don’t resonate anymore.

00:19:06.23
Angelica:
Now, I’m focused on identifying new offerings to introduce. I’m also thinking about products for the Q3 and Q4 markets for Studio 404. Unfortunately—or fortunately, depending on how you look at it—I constantly have new ideas. I’m always observing market trends, visiting smaller markets, and talking to other artists.

00:19:35.08
Angelica:
For Q4 at Studio 404, I still—unfortunately for me and my brain—have ideas all the time. I’m constantly looking at the market, observing trends, and identifying gaps. I’ve visited smaller markets, met other artists, and had meaningful conversations to better understand what the market is looking for, especially in relation to what I’ve done with Studio 404.

I definitely see some opportunities. I also have some personal events coming up, like our Galentine’s event, where I’ll test out new ideas to see how they work or are received. My friends are always my test market—whether they like it or not!

00:20:15.67
Angelica:
We’ll test some of these ideas on the product side. On the service side, I’m focused on figuring out offerings that require minimal resources but can still be valuable and accessible. There’s a budget range I haven’t been able to reach before because of how capitalism works. I’m working to create a service offering that can cater to smaller, mid-range budgets without excluding people who genuinely need guidance and support.

00:21:20.55
Angelica:
I want to finalize what this service offering looks like and make it available for that audience. However, I won’t be designing $100 logos—I’m just not that person. I have friends who do, and I can recommend them, but my focus will be more on consulting, planning, and other intangible services.

There’s more to come as this idea develops, but it’s definitely happening.

00:21:52.08
Charisma:
Love it. My second goal is pretty simple: to batch work more. I used to work in batches all the time, and it suited my brain so well.

00:22:06.72
Charisma:
Over the past year, I’ve been working with a lot of different people on longer projects. For example, I used to work on shorter projects, like working with someone for four weeks and then not seeing them again. Now, I’m working on six-month or year-long projects.

00:22:28.35
Charisma:
Their schedules and deadlines have started to affect mine, which has thrown my routine off. I’m someone who thrives on structure and scheduling, so it’s been challenging to adjust. Everything is getting done, but it feels chaotic.

00:22:40.17
Charisma:
I miss the feeling of a structured, productive day. My favorite type of day is one where I can cozy up, wrap myself in a blanket, grab my laptop, and just focus. I love days like that—they’re the most fulfilling to me.

00:23:01.65
Charisma:
I love, love, love a cozy day of work. That’s my favorite kind of day—where you settle in, wrap yourself in a blanket like a burrito, pull out your laptop, and just get so much done. You know this about me: I love to focus.

00:23:17.53
Charisma:
Sometimes, I’ll send an email like, “Hey, I just went into hyperfocus and completed this random thing that should have taken a long time, but I did it all right now!” I love to take advantage of hyperfocus. Batch working really works for me.

On the flip side, for days filled with meetings or podcast recordings, I prefer to batch those tasks too. I’ll do all of it on one day and then recharge my social battery by not talking to anyone the next day.

00:23:44.10
Charisma:
Lately, there’s been a lot of talking to people every single day, and it’s been throwing off my schedule. Like you mentioned earlier, to grow sustainably, it’s important to set boundaries. I need to establish a schedule for my business and stick to it.

I own my own business, so I should be able to say, “This is my schedule, and things will get done within it.” No one is forcing me to do otherwise—I just tend to adapt quickly to other people’s schedules because I’m a people pleaser.

00:24:25.44
Charisma:
I need to remember that I don’t have to do that. I can set my batch-working days, stick to them, and no one will be upset. And if they are, well, that’s their problem, not mine.

00:24:41.07
Angelica:
You are the drama. It’s no one else—it’s you.

00:24:43.81
Charisma:
It is me! No one’s going to be like, “Wow, Charisma, I’m so upset that you work on deliverables on one day and schedule all your meetings on another.” No one cares—it’s just a me problem.

But then someone asks, “When can you meet?” and I’ll give them my exact meeting times and say, “I’m available anytime other than that.” That’s not how I should handle it. I know it’s my fault, but I’m a people pleaser—it’s just who I am.

00:24:59.02
Angelica:
No one cares about that because I’m very clear with people. I tell them, “These are my meeting days. Don’t talk to me. Thanks.”

00:25:14.36
Angelica:
Stop. Just stop that.

00:25:20.04
Angelica:
Yeah.

00:25:23.13
Angelica:
The first step is—kidding, kidding.

Anyway, the last thing I have, unfortunately for me and my spirit, is that I’ve been having a very strong internal conversation. I hate it out here. I love being in my bubble, minding my business, and focusing on my work.

00:25:45.79
Angelica:
But the way the world works, you need content. And my heart hates that. I guess I’ll be creating some content. It won’t be a lot, and it won’t be on a regular basis.

00:25:56.02
Charisma:
Oh.

00:25:57.69
Angelica:
I’m so upset about this.

00:26:02.83
Charisma:
Where’s it going to go?

00:26:04.04
Angelica:
I think mainly a blog, for sure.

00:26:04.14
Charisma:
Where’s it going to live?

00:26:08.71
Angelica:
I’m back and forth about whether to include it in a newsletter. Here’s the thing—my newsletter friends, we’ve talked about this. I feel like we’ve discussed this in person or maybe on some podcast.

00:26:20.54
Angelica:
I just don’t read newsletters. I read some of them, but most of the time, I don’t.

00:26:24.49
Charisma:
Don’t be discouraged, though, because I do. So don’t let that stop anyone.

00:26:27.64
Angelica:
You do. I know people read them, but I still think, “Why?” And I have to figure out why I don’t read them.

00:26:31.09
Charisma:
Yeah.

00:26:32.13
Angelica:
It’s one of those things where I think, “But why are y’all doing that?” And I know people would read it, so I need to figure out why I wouldn’t.

00:26:35.93
Charisma:
I’m confused. Why wouldn’t you read a newsletter? You’d read a blog.

00:26:41.20
Angelica:
We’ve talked about this. A lot of newsletters just aren’t good.

00:26:48.44
Charisma:
That’s fair. It’s not that you don’t like newsletters; it’s more about their quality. I want to be clear so no one thinks they shouldn’t start one.

00:26:54.91
Angelica:
Yeah.

00:26:58.39
Charisma:
People should definitely start their newsletters.

00:26:59.79
Angelica:
Please do what you need to do.

00:27:00.08
Charisma:
It’s just that you don’t like the quality of the ones you’ve come across.

00:27:02.07
Angelica:
Yes, the quality is not great.

00:27:04.77
Charisma:
Right. And we touched on this earlier—the issue with people letting AI do everything for them.

00:27:05.91
Angelica:
That’s true.

00:27:10.30
Charisma:
That’s a big reason quality content is suffering.

00:27:12.57
Angelica:
Many email builders include AI assistants, which isn’t a problem in itself.

00:27:13.55
Charisma:
Exactly.

00:27:16.82
Charisma:
It’s about how people use them.

00:27:18.73
Angelica:
Exactly. So I’ll figure out what that looks like—maybe it’ll be a quarterly thing. We’ll see.

I’ve been thinking about the old coffee table books and blogs that used to exist, like Domino or DesignSponge*. Those things don’t exist anymore—not even on Instagram.

00:27:42.92
Angelica:
There’s not even an account where I can go for that kind of content. I know Joy the Baker still has a weekly roundup—she does a “Let It Be Sunday” post where she or her blog editor puts together a list. That’s the closest thing I know of from that blog era where people curated lists, blog posts, and shared content consistently.

00:28:14.15
Angelica:
It’s like if someone was curating, sharing, or doing roundups.

00:28:17.18
Charisma:
Yeah.

00:28:19.22
Angelica:
There are obviously visuals, too.

00:28:20.89
Charisma:
I get that everyone’s focused on what’s trendy now, like social media.

00:28:20.99
Angelica:
I’m sure someone’s doing this in video form on TikTok, but I’m not interested.

00:28:30.36
Charisma:
I definitely think that, like many millennials, we miss blogs. If there are blogs available, I would much rather read one. I follow people on Instagram because that’s where they are, but I wish they would write a blog post. I’d be happy to read it there. I think part of it is just that people need to accept their audience. You don’t necessarily need to target everyone. For example, if you’re 40 and have a following of people around that age, that’s perfectly fine. It’s not always about appealing to 20-year-olds, but I think everyone is so obsessed with trying to attract a broad audience, and that’s not always going to work.

00:29:03.39
Charisma:
If you’re 40 and your audience is mostly people around that age, that’s okay. Not everyone will be drawn to your content, and that’s fine. Not every 20-year-old will want to follow you when you’re 40. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. But it’s important to understand that not everything is going to work for everyone.

00:29:24.33
Angelica:
True. That’s just how it is. I know I’m not dancing, I’m not pointing my finger up, I’m not doing any of that. I’m just not going to do it.

00:29:34.49
Charisma:
For me, if I were to dance, it would be after a professional choreographer has worked with me on the set. I’d be performing, and serving, but I’m not going to casually dance for a video—that’s just not my style.

00:29:43.49
Angelica:
I’m dancing to be on stage with someone I love. I’m not dancing in front of a camera just to do it.

00:29:48.34
Charisma:
Yeah.

00:29:51.61
Charisma:
No.

00:29:51.55
Angelica:
No tea, no shade to anyone who is doing it. I love it for them. I don’t see it because I’m not on TikTok, but I’m sure people see it and love it. But it won’t be me.

00:30:02.39
Angelica:
I’m not going to be in the car line, pointing at the sky for no reason. I just won’t do it.

00:30:07.19
Charisma:
Did they do that too?

00:30:07.51
Angelica:
Oh, friend…

00:30:09.95
Charisma:
What’s that one about?

00:30:11.51
Angelica:
Well, you know how people do the pointing up, and then there’s a link or something above? People are always pointing around here in Orlando.

00:30:16.57
Charisma:
Oh, yes. Yes, yes.

00:30:21.79
Angelica:
I’ll go to Target, and if I happen to be in the wrong one, someone’s recording in the middle of an aisle, pointing at nothing.

00:30:27.02
Charisma:
You know me, I’m not the most observant person, so I’m just not even paying attention.

00:30:28.93
Angelica:
And I’m just like, you know what?

00:30:30.57
Charisma:
I’m just here for the noodles.

00:30:31.57
Angelica:
Could you move so I can reach the shelf?

00:30:37.96
Charisma:
I can’t.

00:30:38.40
Angelica:
Fettuccine, please. Dance over there.

00:30:41.41
Charisma:
I can’t. But yeah, that’s what I’m saying. I don’t want to watch a video of someone dancing, pointing at something, then going to that thing, only to find out it’s not even what was expected. I just want to hear, “Hey, I posted a new blog.”

00:30:43.20
Angelica:
I’m not doing it.

00:30:48.14
Angelica:
I’m just not.

00:30:57.69
Charisma:
Okay, great! I’m going to go read it then.

00:31:00.29
Angelica:
I love them, and I’m really into what they’re doing because I’ve sent you their newsletter too. Not that I’m a sports person, but I am into volleyball, and I follow the pro volleyball league. Together with an ex, one of the accounts I follow has a newsletter for women in sports. There are other outlets doing similar things, but I don’t need you to tag them or send them to me—I’m already aware of them. This one, though, was the first to pop up on my radar, mainly because they were promoting the league one volleyball league, as opposed to the other volleyball league and the new one that Jason Derulo is getting involved in. There’s a lot of volleyball drama, but they’re really good at putting everything together for what’s happening in sports—whether it’s the Olympics, tennis, basketball, college sports—if it’s noteworthy, they’re talking about it. They’re putting it on their Instagram. They really understand the niche and are doing it right. I do like how they approach this specific topic.

I miss that kind of niche focus for design, for Brit, and for other fields we used to follow. There used to be a place where people gathered in that format. We had that for entrepreneurship, fitness, even yoga. Now, there are no yoga Instagram accounts talking about the development of yoga or powerlifting or other fitness topics. Those things don’t exist anymore. So, I would love to curate and create something similar—where people can come to one spot for content they care about. It won’t be for everyone, but it will be old-school and, more than likely, it will not be in video format.

00:32:24.09
Angelica:
That’s the goal—create something unique and focused. It might not be for all the “sister girls,” but it will be a niche audience.

00:32:39.43
Charisma:
I love that. It gets me excited! You know I love your content, and I’ve always appreciated the way your content was very specific and niche, especially when you had your blog.

00:32:52.61
Charisma:
I feel like that’s why I valued it so much. You had a clear voice and spoke about something specific. And again, no shade to others, but not everyone is doing that these days.

00:33:05.01
Charisma:
Not everyone is saying, “I’m going to be specific about this topic.”

00:33:06.97
Angelica:
Well, I don’t think the market asks for it. A younger demographic has emerged. They have the buying power, and their interest is in videos. I’m not mad at that, but that’s just not for me.

00:33:16.39
Charisma:
I think you can still maintain your business with videos, though. You can still have a unique voice and be specific in what you’re doing, but unfortunately, not as many people are doing that.

00:33:21.78
Angelica:
Yeah.

00:33:25.11
Angelica:
Oh, you’re saying that attention span is the issue. People just don’t have the attention span anymore.

00:33:27.78
Charisma:
Right. A lot of people aren’t willing to take the time for deeper content. A lot of the media we are served is very similar. It’s rare to find someone who has a unique take on something. And when they do, social media platforms often try to absorb it and take credit for it. It’s a whole thing.

00:33:54.34
Angelica:
It is a whole thing.

00:33:54.68
Charisma:
Okay, so my last work goal is to explore a new field. What’s interesting is that I don’t know if this will directly make me money, but as a business owner, our first field is business, and the second is what we specialize in. So, I just want to learn about another field in case I want to own a business in that field someday. I really want to dive deep into it and learn everything I can about it. I’m not sure what field yet—maybe medical, maybe something else—but I love learning new things and really getting into them beyond just surface-level information. I think this is a good year for me to explore something different, especially because I feel like I have some balance in my life now.

00:34:46.06
Charisma:
I’m really excited for you! Real estate has gone really well for me, and that’s not something I ever thought about, so maybe something like that will inspire me to explore another field too.

00:35:09.12
Charisma:
I’ve been learning about different fields, mainly to help my husband with his career, and I realized I’m actually good at it. Now I’m wondering, is there another field I might be interested in that I haven’t explored yet? For so long, we’ve been taught to put ourselves in boxes, like we can only be good at A and B, not A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. So, now I’m thinking about what else is out there that I might enjoy. It could align with our first goal of owning another business by the end of the year, or it might not—it could just be something I enjoy learning about, and I gain respect for that field without wanting to pursue it. Either way, the goal is to learn something new, and I think ongoing learning is incredibly important.

00:36:04.86
Angelica:
Please, keep learning! It’s so important.

00:36:08.69
Charisma:
Yes! Oh, and this reminds me—I wrote myself a note from last episode. We were talking about the different things we do, and I mentioned how John and I help people purchase short-term rentals, like those listed on Airbnb. I wanted to clarify that we only do this in neighborhoods specifically designed for Airbnb properties. This might be more common in Orlando, where entire neighborhoods are built just for Airbnb properties.

00:36:27.89
Charisma:
These neighborhoods are built as resort communities. They don’t even have mailboxes because you’re not legally allowed to live there—they’re designed just for short-term rentals. So, we’re not doing anything wrong.

00:36:44.18
Charisma:
I just wanted to make sure it’s clear that we’re not contributing to gentrification.

00:36:54.73
Charisma:
I thought about this after we recorded. We’re very much against gentrification. We spend a lot of time helping families find their first homes. We’ve worked with some families for over two years to help them purchase their homes.

00:37:04.97
Angelica:
I know!

00:37:20.88
Charisma:
We also help people find rentals, and sometimes we get paid for it, sometimes we don’t—it’s not about the money. Our focus is ensuring that people in our community are in homes they love and can afford.

00:37:34.14
Charisma:
We’re passionate about that.

00:37:34.73
Angelica:
Yeah.

00:37:36.52
Charisma:
We work with a lot of first-time buyers who feel overwhelmed or embarrassed about their finances. But we’ve partnered with an amazing lender who works with people who may not know where to start. Honestly, no one is taught this in school, and it feels like the government doesn’t want us to know because they don’t want us to own homes. But for us, the goal is to help families get into homes they own. Maybe they start by renting for two years, and then they can buy a home. Once they’re ready, they might even invest in a second property in a neighborhood specifically for Airbnb rentals.

00:38:19.00
Charisma:
These neighborhoods have restrictions—no one can live in them permanently. The longest you can stay is six months, and they don’t have mailboxes. They’re designed to be resort communities with amenities like lazy rivers and water parks.

00:38:40.65
Charisma:
In Central Florida, there’s an area called Davenport, about 20-25 minutes from Disney, where many of these resort-style communities are built. It’s on the outskirts, not close to much else. It’s designed specifically for resort-style living.

00:39:38.85
Charisma:
I just didn’t want people to think that we’re going around buying homes in established neighborhoods and turning them into Airbnb rentals. That’s not what we’re doing.

00:39:41.92
Angelica:
If you were gentrifying, we wouldn’t have this podcast anymore. You know I’ve got your back.

00:39:46.28
Charisma:
I know you would’ve taught me better.

00:39:46.97
Angelica:
If there were any confusion or concern, you’d find a new co-host. It’d be like “Introducing a new co-host—someone who’s not a gentrifier!”

00:39:55.28
Charisma:
Honestly, that’s exactly how I felt. As soon as the podcast ended, I thought about it and wrote myself a note. Then I was like, “Should I bring this up with Angelica?”

00:39:56.32
Angelica:
No worries, I’m good!

00:40:04.27
Angelica:
That’s so unfathomable to me—that you would even think to do that.

00:40:07.49
Charisma:
I was going to ask…

00:40:08.11
Charisma:
I was going to add a little disclaimer at the end, but I thought, “No, she’s going to be so annoyed with me.” So, I decided to wait.

00:40:14.61
Angelica:
No, you should’ve!

00:40:15.83
Charisma:
Okay, but I’ll know for next time. Sometimes I speak without providing the full context because I get comfortable talking to you, and I forget that not everyone knows the ins and outs of what we do. Without context, it could sound wrong, so I wanted to clarify.

00:40:27.59
Charisma:
I didn’t want people to think I’m a gentrifier, you know?

00:40:35.30
Angelica:
Right! They would leave a one-star review, like, “This podcast is for gentrifiers.”

00:40:42.37
Charisma:
I don’t even own a home, just to be 100% clear.

00:40:45.50
Angelica:
Right.

00:40:46.02
Charisma:
Also, if anyone ever has concerns, I feel like real estate is an industry with its fair share of, well… not-so-great people. I don’t want to say “bad,” but that’s the first word that comes to mind.

00:40:57.47
Angelica:
The girlies can watch the reality shows and make up their minds.

00:41:01.09
Charisma:
Yeah, there are a lot of people in the industry who use business practices that John and I don’t agree with. We’re coming from being a small business owner who works with families and a former elementary school teacher. We genuinely care about people.

00:41:17.51
Charisma:
Coming into the real estate industry was a bit of a shock because we’ve seen how some people operate. But no matter what, we’ve always stuck to our morals. We’re not getting involved in that. It’s very important to me that we maintain ethical business practices, and I want to be transparent about that.

00:41:39.67
Angelica:
Got it. Moving on, let’s talk about personal goals—goals that are just for us as individuals, figuring out what we want to do and continue doing.

00:41:51.71
Angelica:
One of my personal goals is to be a source of support for people when they need it. I try my best to be there.

00:42:00.75
Charisma:
You’re really good at that.

00:42:05.29
Angelica:
I try. I’ll admit, though, I wasn’t as consistently available last year because I was just going through the motions.

00:42:19.73
Charisma:
You do make yourself feel available. Does that make sense?

00:42:23.32
Angelica:
Yes, I understand. For people I don’t know as well, I try to be available, but I’m not necessarily a place for unloading every problem. I’m good at listening, and I can offer advice when I have it.

00:42:29.62
Charisma:
Right.

00:42:34.58
Angelica:
But I don’t always have the emotional capacity to take on too much.

00:42:39.38
Charisma:
It could be that your inner circle needed you more last year, and we kept you pretty busy. Maybe that’s why you weren’t as available. I think we definitely used up every last bit of your time last year.

00:42:55.99
Angelica:
I will neither confirm nor deny that my inner circle was going through it, but…

00:43:00.50
Charisma:
Our inner circle was definitely going through it last year, so yes.

00:43:02.90
Angelica:
I won’t confirm or deny, but I do think there’s a lot happening everywhere, no matter where you are. There’s so much going on in the world, and we often think we can control things, but so much of what is happening—especially the harmful things—is beyond our control. People are going through so much, and I think many miss the sense of community or don’t have a space where they can feel supported. In some neighborhoods, these spaces don’t exist anymore, and in others, they’ve always been rooted in religion. It’s just a lot for people to handle, and I think many are seeking support but can’t find it, or they can’t afford it.

00:43:47.40
Angelica:
I want to be someone who offers support, whether by being a kind person or a listening ear. You never know when someone might need someone to talk to, and I need to do a better job of making space for that. I used to be better at it, but last year it was harder to manage. I do think it’s important to be kind, especially because we know that many people, particularly Black women, aren’t going above and beyond to help others. I’m not going to go out of my way in certain areas, but I know the importance of offering support, especially when people are going through things without guidebooks or the necessary resources.

00:44:33.37
Angelica:
People are dealing with so many challenges, like the breakup of families, and sometimes the help they need is just not available. I remember hearing a Black woman on a podcast from Nebraska talking about how there are no resources there for people like her. It’s difficult to find others who understand, and that’s where online communities, like the ones for Black women, come in. These groups, even if they seem trivial (like “Black girls at Target” or “Bougie Black girls at Costco”), serve as a lifeline for those in places where there aren’t many Black women around. It’s hard to find community when you’re in a place like Omaha and don’t have a support system or people around you. So, people often turn to the internet to find that connection.

00:45:30.75
Angelica:
It may seem simple, but for those who don’t have access to a network, online spaces are their only option. It’s important to recognize that some people don’t have access to in-person connections, and they need to reach out however they can.

00:45:45.37
Angelica:
That’s why I try to be a safe space for people to reach out to when they need help or support, as long as it’s not harmful to others. I’m open to offering support, guiding them to the right resources, or just listening. My inbox is always open.

00:46:01.81
Angelica:
The DMs are always open. If you need to reach out, feel free to hit me up. I’ll do my best to assist and help however I can.

00:46:09.24
Charisma:
You know we’ve entered rough times when you say your DMs are open.

00:46:19.57
Angelica:
Well, if you go to the “other” requests box, it might take me a little longer to find your message because I don’t always check it. But they are open.

00:46:29.72
Angelica:
They’re open. Will I check them every day? Probably not. But I’ll do my best to keep up with them. The Facebook “other” inbox is the worst, though. People try to reach out to me there, and I genuinely never check Facebook messages.

00:46:53.36
Angelica:
I don’t even have Facebook Messenger on my phone.

00:46:56.21
Charisma:
And just to remind everyone listening…

00:46:58.40
Angelica:
I don’t have Facebook Messenger on my phone.

00:47:00.11
Charisma:
If, and, and…

00:47:02.53
Angelica:
I know that my mom and everyone’s mom messages me on Facebook Messenger. I’ll go to it and see their moms’ messages, and I’ll be like, “Oh, snap, sorry, Moms.”

00:47:16.68
Charisma:
Yeah, I feel like Instagram is the place to find me. You can’t be in every inbox; otherwise, you’ll be overwhelmed.

00:47:17.12
Angelica:
Exactly, it is what it is.

00:47:21.79
Angelica:
Please, don’t message me if you’re a stranger.

00:47:28.17
Angelica:
No, seriously.

00:47:30.72
Charisma:
I love that.

00:47:31.14
Angelica:
I’m trying to be a space of support, helping people out when I can.

00:47:34.06
Charisma:
I love that. My first personal goal for 2025 is to walk 1,000 miles—or, I should say, move 1,000 miles. I could run, swim, or do whatever, but it’s probably going to be walking because I enjoy it. Some people might think 1,000 miles is a lot, but really, it’s just about 3 miles a day. It’s not that much.

00:47:54.40
Charisma:
I’m already averaging under 10,000 steps a day, but I want to keep consistent. If I aim for 1,000 miles by the end of the year, I need to make sure I’m staying on track every day and not slacking off.

00:48:12.47
Charisma:
The reason I made it a yearly goal instead of a daily one is that sometimes things happen—you might have bad weather or be feeling unwell. So, I wanted some leeway. If I miss a day, it’s not the end of the world, and I can make up the miles on another day when I’m feeling better or the weather is better.

00:48:31.41
Charisma:
Having an overall goal keeps me from getting too far off track. If I miss a couple of days, I can just catch up on those miles by doing extra on other days. So, 1,000 miles is a good goal, and it’s easy for anyone to do. Even though we’re at the end of January, it’s not too late to start. You could do 4 miles in February and catch up.

00:49:40.40
Charisma:
And the main thing is, I want to keep my cortisol levels low because my hormones don’t like it when they’re high.

00:49:46.80
Angelica:
That’s real. And I think that’s a great goal. As Monica said, sometimes we have those “one of those days.”

00:49:56.21
Charisma:
Right.

00:49:56.13
Angelica:
And you have to understand that. It’s a big part of adulthood, especially if you were once a high school or college athlete. When you enter the real world, you get a job that doesn’t involve athletics, and suddenly you have to balance a whole new set of responsibilities. It’s easy to get frustrated when you’re not at the same level as you were before, but the reality is, you’re not an athlete anymore. You have deliverables, meetings with your boss, one-on-ones, kids to take care of, and other obligations. And that’s totally okay.

00:50:24.44
Angelica:
I think we need to embrace the idea of giving ourselves grace in those moments, especially when life feels overwhelming.

00:50:36.16
Angelica:
It’s okay to acknowledge where you are at that time.

00:50:43.89
Charisma:
Yeah, I feel like so many people think it has to be the same thing every single day.

00:50:43.97
Angelica:
Exactly.

00:50:48.09
Charisma:
And if it’s not the same every day, then they feel like they’ve failed. But that doesn’t make sense, especially for women, because our bodies go through cycles. What you can do on one day might not be the same on another, and that’s okay.

00:51:02.77
Angelica:
Yeah.

00:51:05.42
Charisma:
My mom was always about pushing yourself, pushing yourself. And I was like, but why? What’s the point?

00:51:08.82
Angelica:
Exactly.

00:51:10.85
Charisma:
You end up stressed, unhappy, with anxiety. Instead, why not work with your body? That’s why the three miles is doable. On a day when you’re unsure if you can get outside, you could split those three miles into three different walks.

00:51:28.23
Charisma:
And on days when you’re dealing with cramps, that might be the way to go. But other days, you’ll have tons of energy, feel great, and might do six miles without thinking about it. It’s all about flexibility. Not every day will look the same, but you can still reach your movement goal by the end of the year.

00:51:55.32
Angelica:
And that’s all that matters. I’m very excited for you. I think you’ll continue to see success because you’re consistent. As long as the weather isn’t trying to stop us, you’ll keep moving. And I think others will get inspired. If anyone joins you on the 1,000-mile challenge, tag Charisma in your walking, running, or swimming videos. Whatever movement you choose, let her know so she can see your progress. We want to celebrate you!

00:52:30.17
Angelica:
That’s a big deal, especially if you haven’t been active in a while.

00:52:41.78
Angelica:
It’s impressive to say, “I’m going to move 1,000 miles in a year.”

00:52:43.71
Charisma:
Yeah, for some people, it might sound crazy.

00:52:44.57
Angelica:
Like, that’s insane.

00:52:48.40
Charisma:
But when you break it down, you realize it’s doable. For me, I consider myself active, but not extremely active. I’m moving every day, but I’m not hitting the gym like I used to. I used to be a gym person, but now I focus on walking and maybe going to the gym occasionally. I’m not consistent with the gym like I was, but that’s okay. It’s all about what works for you and your body.

00:53:04.57
Charisma:
1,000 miles is something everyone can do, and for me, it’s also a mental thing. If I’m not walking every day, I’ll feel like punching a hole in the wall. Walking helps prevent that.

00:53:25.09
Charisma:
But yeah, I know it’s important. With all the crazy news every day, walking helps keep me from losing my temper.

00:53:42.72
Angelica:
Well, don’t punch any walls, because you’re renting.

00:53:45.62
Charisma:
Right, exactly.

00:53:48.03
Charisma:
It’s so important to stay grounded in the world today.

00:53:55.03
Charisma:
I don’t want to lose my temper because of the daily chaos.

00:53:59.63
Angelica:
Oh my gosh, every hour, girl. The news cycle never stops, but what a time to be alive.

00:54:03.23
Charisma:
Right.

00:54:05.53
Charisma:
I don’t know how to throw a punch, but you know, I’m just saying.

00:54:08.66
Angelica:
Well, this is the time to learn. We’ve got you.

00:54:10.65
Charisma:
Let’s flap the wall instead.

00:54:11.94
Angelica:
Let’s do it. My second goal is similar: consistency in movement. I like walking in new places, which I’ve realized about myself.

00:54:23.91
Angelica:
I used to walk everywhere, but I’ve lived here too long.

00:54:26.09
Charisma:
I feel that.

00:54:26.07
Angelica:
I don’t enjoy walking here anymore because I’ve seen it all and know what’s going on.

00:54:31.24
Charisma:
What is it about that?

00:54:32.72
Angelica:
It doesn’t inspire me.

00:54:39.72
Charisma:
Is that a mental thing? Is there a scientific reason behind it?

00:54:42.27
Angelica:
There must be! If anyone is a neurologist or has studied habits and consistency, I’m sure they can explain it. We don’t like doing the same thing over and over again.

00:54:57.77
Angelica:
It’s just how we’re wired.

00:54:57.88
Charisma:
Exactly, drop me off at a new park, and I want to walk the whole thing.

00:54:59.63
Angelica:
Yeah, and we live in such a beautiful area.

00:55:01.44
Angelica:
We did so much of that this past year.

00:55:06.72
Charisma:
If you don’t know the area, people don’t understand where we live. We both can get to a walking trail from where we are sitting right now, probably within three minutes of walking out the door. We both have walking trails close by, and they’re beautiful. But when you see the same thing every day, it starts to lose its appeal. I feel terrible saying it, but it’s true. You get to a point where you’re like, “Okay, I’ve seen this,” and you want something different.

00:55:17.45
Charisma:
So, I need to see new things. It’s on me. But it doesn’t bother me to go to the gym every day. It’s just that my gym isn’t easily accessible. It’s not a walk-in gym. That’s why my friends stopped going— it’s too much of a trek. You park in a garage, walk from there, then climb three flights of stairs to the strength floor. They’re like, “I’m too old for this.” And I hear them, but I’ll still make the trek to get to that squat rack. I just love lifting, but I can’t do it every day. I have old injuries that flare up now and then. So I’m just trying to be consistent and figure out what I need to do each day to keep moving. Because if I don’t, I just won’t.

00:56:24.08
Angelica:
I won’t. I’ll be like, “Alright, well, that was great.” Biking my kid to school will be a thing, but there are different ways to stay active. I do feel like I’m more active when I travel, though, which is expensive.

00:56:34.09
Charisma:
That’s true.

00:56:40.66
Angelica:
When I’m out of this area, I go to yoga.

00:56:43.78
Charisma:
Right.

00:56:43.96
Angelica:
I’ll go cycling. I’ll go hiking. I’m active anywhere else, but not at home. That’s my problem. I need to figure out how to trick my brain into thinking it’s exciting to do things around here because when I travel, I’m so active. It annoys the people I travel with because they just want to go to a museum or relax, and I’m like, “Surprise! We’re doing a five-mile hike today. It has elevation!” They hate it.

00:57:02.22
Charisma:
Exactly. You create that energy.

00:57:04.06
Angelica:
And I’m like, “We’re climbing today. Let’s go!” And they hate it.

00:57:15.88
Angelica:
So I need to get my life together.

00:57:16.98
Charisma:
You love seeing new things when you walk, and you’re often walking in the mountains.

00:57:21.36
Angelica:
I love seeing new things, but I didn’t just mean walking.

00:57:23.46
Charisma:
I get it.

00:57:24.33
Angelica:
It’s very strange. I’ll go to yoga anywhere else. I’ll go to Pilates. I’ll go cycling. If there’s a SoulCycle, I’m going.

00:57:35.21
Charisma:
Yeah.

00:57:35.20
Angelica:
I’m booking it and I’ll be there.

00:57:36.51
Charisma:
You’re making it happen.

00:57:37.60
Angelica:
It’s very strange because I could do that here. We have like four different Pilates studios within a five-mile radius.

00:57:42.81
Charisma:
Right.

00:57:46.00
Angelica:
But I don’t want to go to Pilates here. I’ll go to New York City and find out there’s Pilates, and I’m there.

00:57:49.28
Charisma:
That’s really something.

00:57:51.50
Angelica:
I’ll go to Tampa. In fact, there’s a Pilates studio there I want to try. I’m like, “I’ll just go over to Tampa.” It’s so dumb, I know, but it’s just how I am. I am the drama. I am the problem.

00:58:02.05
Angelica:
But I do like videos too. If the weather is too hot, I’m not pushing myself to be uncomfortable. I won’t go outside for a walk if it’s too hot. I’ll walk inside my house. I had the Peloton app for three years through my insurance.

00:58:12.16
Charisma:
No way.

00:58:19.91
Angelica:
It was fantastic. I loved the workouts. There are these girls, like Joanna from “Grow With Jo,” and I still follow them faithfully.

00:58:29.80
Charisma:
They are awesome.

00:58:31.44
Angelica:
Some of the strength training, I’ve got more weights at home. So if I don’t feel like trekking it to the gym, or if the weather isn’t ideal, I have enough equipment to work out at home.

00:58:35.20
Charisma:
I love that too. I think that’s why I enjoy videos too—the content is always new.

00:58:42.96
Angelica:
Yes, exactly.

00:58:43.32
Charisma:
I totally agree.

00:58:45.65
Angelica:
I’ll link to some of the people I follow—some of them are older, but there are new ones too, especially for strength training. I’ve found some cool Black ladies doing awesome stuff, and I’ve been trying to learn from them.

00:59:05.60
Angelica:
So, I’ll put those Instagram accounts in the show notes for you guys. But yeah, just being consistent is key. It’s so easy, especially when I get sick. Like, I had the flu last February, and it really messed me up. I just thought, “I can’t do this anymore.” It changed my whole thought process because I hadn’t been sick in a decade, not since before the pandemic, because of wearing masks everywhere.

00:59:32.81
Angelica:
I hadn’t had the flu in years. It was wild to see people just walking around sick. I only found out I had the flu because I went to the emergency room, feeling like I was on death’s door. I was like, “We should probably go to the emergency room since I can’t even eat.” And they were like, “Sister, what are you doing? What’s happening?” So, I do take health and wellness seriously. From a nutrition standpoint, we don’t eat a ton of junk food, but I do want to be more consistent with moving my body. My body loves it when I’m consistent.

01:00:20.27
Angelica:
It’s annoying, though, because my body loves it, but then it gets mad at me when I don’t do it. I don’t always listen, though. I’m like, “What if we just worked some more instead?” But it’s a problem.

01:00:27.94
Charisma:
Right, we’re not on vacation.

01:00:30.49
Angelica:
What if I wrote 50,000 words over the Christmas break?

01:00:30.80
Charisma:
Time well spent.

01:00:35.51
Angelica:
That’s what I did. While everyone else was relaxing, I decided to write 50,000 words instead, and that’s exactly what I did in December—not just November. My brain is like, “Let’s find other ways to be productive and not move our bodies.”

01:00:50.72
Charisma:
You’re like, “Girl, we’re at home.”

01:00:51.27
Angelica:
I know! But I just can’t seem to stop.

01:00:52.63
Charisma:
We’re not on vacation.

01:00:52.14
Angelica:
I need to get it together. So, I’m working on doing better.

01:00:58.30
Charisma:
I love it. So, my second goal is to have more intentional date nights and friend dates. I don’t mean that I don’t have them, but I want the activities to be more intentional and not just fall into our regular routine. Nothing wrong with going to our favorite spot, but I want to do new things—maybe have more dinner parties, theme dinners, things like that. It’s about putting more thought and intentionality into the time I spend with others.

01:01:43.27
Angelica:
I’m coughing too. No worries. My last goal is similar to what I was saying before—how my brain operates differently when I’m in other places. I need to travel more, take full advantage of our schedule, and see different places.

01:02:06.73
Angelica:
I feel like I’ve been repetitive in how much I dislike Florida, yet I still live here. I need to figure out how to get out more because it’s not my favorite place.

01:02:20.23
Angelica:
Yesterday, I complained all day at a venue. I was like, “Why is it so bad here? Why can’t we get it together?” I’ve tried being the change, volunteering countless hours, bleeding in the city of Orlando—literally cried and had people throw up on me. I’ve done the work. But Orlando hasn’t done the work for me. I can’t keep going above and beyond anymore.

01:02:50.62
Angelica:
Black women—especially those of us who are 90% of the population here—shouldn’t have to do all the work. I’ll change what I can in my little bubble, but sometimes, I just need to leave to stop being so frustrated. There are silly issues here that could easily be solved, but instead, we’re focused on things like naming the Gulf. It’s frustrating. I just need to travel more until I figure out where else I want to live.

01:03:40.32
Charisma:
I still like Orlando, though. I’m not sure where I’d move to if I left.

01:03:47.33
Angelica:
I’d love a place with no people—just the beach, the geography. Florida itself is beautiful, and if you go to rural Florida, it’s great, too. We’ve been working with permaculturists at school, learning about the history of the land.

01:04:05.68
Angelica:
It’s beautiful here. The agriculture is fantastic, and the landscape is amazing. It’s the people that are wild.

01:04:25.49
Angelica:
Wild people are attracted to wild places.

01:04:26.35
Charisma:
True. But at this point, I’m not convinced that people in America aren’t just wild everywhere.

01:04:35.80
Angelica:
They are, but in other places I visit, I don’t find them as much.

01:04:39.81
Charisma:
Yeah, I get that.

01:04:42.18
Angelica:
And I love that for me. I’ll keep making those good choices to find those places without the wild people.

01:04:46.01
Charisma:
Yeah, a lot of places you travel to offer more space and a different environment.

01:04:49.45
Angelica:
Exactly. I’m very intentional about it.

01:04:54.60
Charisma:
Places like Arizona, for example—at least where you go—no one’s around. That helps a lot.

01:05:03.40
Angelica:
I’m very intentional about seeking spaces that have easy access to indigenous communities because, even when I cannot be there as a tourist, I try not to act like a tourist. I love giving back and learning from people in indigenous spaces. It’s been a respectful value in my family my entire life. I understand that may be new for some of you, but I grew up this way—my family did as well. It’s just been a part of our lives, something they got right, even though they might have been wrong about many other things. I carry that with me and teach others the same.

01:05:32.55
Angelica:
If you look at the maps of where slaves were in the middle of South Georgia or the top of Florida, you’ll see a lot of intermixing with indigenous groups in those areas. There’s a lot of respect in certain spaces, among specific tribes and people, that I believe has been maintained by my family. I don’t know if it’s something specific to that group of people historically, but it’s how I grew up, and my mom and grandma grew up the same way.

01:05:50.67
Angelica:
This is something my family has always valued, and it’s something I carry with me. When I travel, whether in the U.S. or overseas, I make it a priority to understand and respect the people who live there. It’s a big part of why and how I travel. I know some people suggest I go to places like Gatlinburg for a vacation, and while I’m not criticizing Gatlinburg—I’ve been there and enjoyed it—I don’t want to go back. It’s not what I’m looking for in my travel experience. I travel intentionally, seeking specific experiences.

01:06:30.93
Angelica:
My travel preferences often take me outside the Mason-Dixon line. I’ve lived in the South my entire life, but I no longer want to keep pouring into the southeastern U.S., especially when it doesn’t support my demographic. It’s made clear by the government that this area isn’t for me. I’m not going to keep traveling a state over or one state up when it doesn’t align with my values. I understand that for some people, affordability limits their options, but if I have the privilege to travel elsewhere, I’ll be looking overseas.

01:07:03.98
Charisma:
Yeah.

01:07:04.09
Angelica:
I can’t keep pouring into a system that doesn’t support me.

01:07:21.38
Angelica:
If I have the privilege to travel elsewhere and find other places, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. And many of those places are overseas.

01:07:29.85
Charisma:
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

01:07:37.08
Charisma:
My favorite travel experiences have always been outside of America. When I started traveling overseas, I realized how much I’ve been asked “What are you?” in the U.S., especially since I’m biracial—black and white. I’ve been asked that question constantly. It was a shock to travel abroad and not have anyone ask me that. It was an eye-opening experience.

01:08:07.45
Charisma:
When I started traveling internationally, I realized people didn’t demand to know what I was. That was shocking at first. I’d been used to the constant questioning in the U.S., but overseas, I felt like I could just be myself without that pressure. This shift in perspective has influenced my decision-making in recent years, and now I’m thinking: “What if I moved overseas instead of just leaving Florida?”

01:08:32.28
Charisma:
Instead of leaving Florida, maybe I should just move overseas. That seems like a better plan.

01:08:37.20
Angelica:
And you’re like, “What if I stop contributing to whatever’s going on here?”

01:08:42.86
Charisma:
We have some friends who just moved to Spain, and we’ve been following their journey. They’re Gen X, not retired, but they have more experience and resources than we do. We’re learning from them, and maybe we’ll follow their lead. We’ll see.

01:09:04.38
Angelica:
That was my third goal, by the way.

01:09:05.20
Charisma:
Got it! Okay, so my third personal goal is starting another nonprofit this year. I’ve mentioned it before; I’ve been doing the groundwork behind the scenes, working on securing larger donors from the start so we can make a bigger impact earlier on. I’m excited to make this official this year. I believe it will happen in the first half of the year.

01:09:27.88
Charisma:
This nonprofit will be focused on benefiting central Florida, even though I don’t plan to live here forever. I was born and raised in Orlando, and I still care about the direction the city takes. If I end up living in another country, like Portugal or Spain, I want to leave behind something positive for the people of central Florida. I’m excited about this nonprofit’s potential and the impact it will have.

01:10:20.25
Charisma:
A lot of Black women are starting to check out from some of these spaces. I feel the same way. I’ve been invited to our local Democratic group, and I’ve worked with them in the past, but now I’m like, “I’m going to take a break from this.” I want to build community in a real way that isn’t tied to the government. I’ve done a lot of political work in the past, and while these efforts are still political—like creating programs, starting nonprofits, or serving the community—they’re different. I’m not playing the game where I hope that politicians will be nice to us if they gain power. We’ve been through that, back and forth. I’m on team “they can f**k around and find out.” I don’t want anything bad to happen to people, of course, but I would much rather focus on building a community where we can genuinely help each other, instead of feeling responsible for constantly showing up online to promote this or that. I’m not here for the savior complex. I want to see Black people pouring into themselves, pouring into their communities, and supporting each other. If you’ve always supported us, great, I’m sure that support will be mutual. But for everyone else, I just don’t have the energy. This project serves my community and surrounding communities. It has purpose, and it can continue regardless of who runs it. I want it to be bigger than me, bigger than one person.

01:12:13.81
Charisma:
I wish more of our politicians were focused on creating things like this, instead of whatever they’re doing now.

01:12:22.77
Angelica:
No. Nah. Get out of here. That’s not what they’re for.

01:12:27.23
Charisma:
What?

01:12:28.38
Angelica:
They literally just choose one project and focus on that.

01:12:29.37
Charisma:
Yeah, exactly.

01:12:34.96
Charisma:
If every politician in America just picked one thing and said, “I’m going to serve this community in this specific way,” and just did that—no, it wouldn’t solve all the problems, but imagine how much better the world would be if they all did it.

01:12:45.79
Charisma:
If they all focused on one thing to improve, it could really make a difference.

01:12:52.98
Angelica:
I feel like if they all just looked at Lauren Underwood and followed her career path, they would see how to make real, impactful changes. She shows up and stands up for her community, and it’s simple. But they’re not doing it.

01:13:01.43
Charisma:
Yeah.

01:13:03.02
Angelica:
It’s amazing how much she’s accomplished. But it shows that when you focus on the right things, you can get things done.

01:13:11.19
Charisma:
I would love to have someone on the show this spring to talk about goals and goal-setting—different ways to approach it.

01:13:13.16
Angelica:
That would be great.

01:13:22.62
Charisma:
I’d love to talk to an expert. We’ve been setting and going after our goals for years, but there are so many different approaches to it. We touched on it at the beginning of the episode, but it’s really important to make sure the goals you set are achievable within a reasonable time frame. Breaking down big goals into smaller steps can make them feel much more doable. For example, instead of thinking “I have to go a thousand miles,” break it down to “I just need to walk three miles a day.” That’s much more manageable.

01:13:40.55
Charisma:
So, if you have any questions about goal-setting, send them our way. We’ll have another episode soon where we’ll talk to someone about how to set goals smartly and achieve them.

01:14:11.15
Angelica:
Yes! Thank you so much for listening and learning with us. If you have any thoughts, please reach out to us on Instagram at Heart & Hustle Podcast. We’re also reviewing other social media, TBD, but we’ll figure it out. You can always email us at heartandhustlepodcast.com. We’ll be checking the inbox, too. Please continue to rate, review, and share, and we’ll be back next week. Toodles!

01:14:38.23
Charisma:
Bye!