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Hey Reader,

Happy Wednesday and welcome back to an issue of The Brown Girl Podcast newsletter!

It's been a long time, 8 months exactly, since I last drafted an email newsletter.

Mentally I'm here and ready to dive back into creative outlets (but really, I'm sitting in my room in a hoodie from 15 years ago, drinking coffee, and wondering how it's already fall🍁).

One of the things I've learned to appreciate in my 30s is slowing down; going at a pace that feels right for me based on my current season of life. Don't get me wrong - there's a time to hustle and if you're in that season, I'm cheering you on. But personally, I'm in a season of wanting to chill :)

This shift has manifested in various ways—like pausing the podcast for an extended period, choosing to work out 3x times a week instead of pushing myself for more, and finding contentment in my 9-5 without feeling the want to chase for the next thing. In my latest podcast episode, I talk about the concept of "shoulds". The only “should” that matters is the one you create for yourself, and this acceptance has been pivotal in my personal journey. Cause life is short but it's also...long?

ON THE PODCAST 🎙️

Speaking of podcasts - after a long hiatus, the podcast is back and my latest episode is live — it’s a relationship heavy, solo episode, sharing some personal life updates and perspectives; engagements, embracing the waiting season, dealbreakers, prenups, fertility, and a few other things in between.

If you haven't already, you can listen on Apple or Spotify, or on any other listening platform here 🎧

RECENTLY WATCHED 📺

Nobody Wants This

Omg this was so good.

I'm so happy it's coming back for a second season. It had so many good themes of romance, dealbreakers, culture, pushy in-laws, standing up for yourself, and saying no even when everyone else wants you to say yes.

One of the best quotes from the show is when the dad says (paraphrased), "I think if you'll [redacted to avoid spoilers], we'll all be happy for you, but at the end of the day, you're the only person that has to live with the joy or the regrets of your own choices".

That line hit like a truth bomb, and has stuck with me since.

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire season and it was nice to see something that wasn't the same rom-com type story told a different way. If you liked it (or didn't!), feel free to respond and share your thoughts.

RECIPES 🧑🏽‍🍳

I've been using some form of AI almost on the daily, whether it's note taking for meetings, podcast editing, or ChatGPT for daily life things.

Here's some of my recent AI inquiries:

• "Please help me refine this email" --> Insert email draft
• "What should I do with this squirrel that fell from the tree and seems injured?"
• Grammar questions (I can never remember if the period goes outside the parenthesis or inside, and if you're wondering, the answer is that it depends).

And more recently for cooking too.

I love getting creative with ingredients I already have, often doing "pantry challenges" to use up what's on hand before restocking. Here's an AI tip I found to be helpful for cooking:

Type into ChatGPT, or whatever tool you use, the list of ingredients you have on hand and then ask it to create a recipe for you.

This week, I made a fall soup courtesy of ChatGPT ☺️ that I really loved with basic ingredients I had on hand like rice, chicken breast and random odds and ends of vegetables from the fridge. It was truly a win-win.

PS You can always reply directly to this email to reach me.

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