One Year of Being Honest: Our Podcast Anniversary, Real Talk & Everything We Learned

One Year of Being Honest: Our Podcast Anniversary, Real Talk & Everything We Learned

It's officially been one year since we hit record for the first time. In this special anniversary episode of If I'm Being Honest, Gigi and Nishani sit down just the two of them to reflect on a full year of podcasting the doubt, the growth, and everything they've learned along the way. We talk about why we started this podcast to "end the fluff," the fear of listening to our own voices, what it's really like to be women and entrepreneurs balancing high expectations with self-compassion, and our favorite guest moments this year acupuncture, family constellations, entrepreneurship, mental health, and immigrant identity. We also get into why "pain is temporary, quitting is permanent" became our motto this year, and what's coming in year two. Hosted by Nishani and Gigi If I'm Being Honest by Attunigrate Stay connected with Attunigrate: Website: www.attunigrate.com [http://www.attunigrate.com] Instagram: instagram.com/attunigrate/ [http://instagram.com/attunigrate/] Facebook: facebook.com/attunigrate [http://facebook.com/attunigrate] TikTok: tiktok.com/@attunigrate [http://tiktok.com/@attunigrate] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/attunigrate/ [http://linkedin.com/company/attunigrate/] Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical concerns.

Acupuncture, Anxiety & Women’s Health with Kat Barber

What if acupuncture is not just about pain relief, but a way to support your nervous system, reduce stress, and feel more grounded? In this episode of If I’m Being Honest, Gigi and Nishani sit down with Kat Barber, a nationally board-certified acupuncturist licensed in Michigan with over 16 years of experience. Kat shares her journey from working as an HIV case manager in Chicago to practicing Chinese medicine, women’s health, fertility support, mental health, pain management, and facial acupuncture. We talk about acupuncture myths, “acu-high,” stress and inflammation, nervous system regulation, women’s health, hormones, PCOS, endometriosis, perimenopause, menopause, facial acupuncture, and how the body can hold stress in ways we may not always recognize. Guest: Kat Barber Licensed Acupuncturist | Women’s Health | Fertility | Mental Health | Facial Acupuncture Website: www.katbarberacu.com [http://www.katbarberacu.com] Hosted by Nishani Jayawardena and Gigi Alve If I’m Being Honest by Attunigrate Stay connected with Attunigrate: Website: www.attunigrate.com [http://www.attunigrate.com] Instagram: instagram.com/attunigrate/ [http://instagram.com/attunigrate/] Facebook: facebook.com/attunigrate [http://facebook.com/attunigrate] TikTok: tiktok.com/@attunigrate [http://tiktok.com/@attunigrate] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/attunigrate/ [http://linkedin.com/company/attunigrate/] Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical concerns.

Calvin Anderson on Becoming a Therapist, Holding Space & Humanizing Mental Health EP 15

In this episode of If I’m Being Honest, we sit down with Calvin Anderson, an MBACP Registered Psychotherapist and host of The Check-In With Podcast. Calvin shares his journey into therapy, from realizing he had always been a “professional listener” to finding the path that finally felt like home. Together, we talk about what it means to hold space for people, how culture shapes the way we give and receive care, and why therapy is not about being “fixed” it is about being seen, heard, and understood. This conversation moves through friendship, immigrant and cultural experiences, inner child work, kindness, podcasting, and the importance of humanizing therapists beyond the stereotypes. Guest Information Guest: Calvin Anderson Professional Title: MBACP Registered Psychotherapist Podcast: The Check-In With Podcast Listen to Calvin’s podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mwm6dPSpfiFqHuVNbCXaQ [https://open.spotify.com/show/7mwm6dPSpfiFqHuVNbCXaQ] Watch The Check-In With Podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thecheckinwithpodcast?si=XvA7Q_J2VQlori-o [https://youtube.com/@thecheckinwithpodcast?si=XvA7Q_J2VQlori-o] Follow Calvin’s podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecheckinwithpodcast?utm_source=qr&igsh=MXc3eWIwdXJmbDZ3dg== [https://www.instagram.com/thecheckinwithpodcast?utm_source=qr&igsh=MXc3eWIwdXJmbDZ3dg==] ☕ Special offer for our listeners: Use code HONEST20 for 20% off your Integrity Coffee order. Shop Integrity Coffee: https://www.integritycoffee22.com/ [https://www.integritycoffee22.com/] Stay real, stay honest, and this episode… stay caffeinated. Stay connected with Attunigrate: Website: www.attunigrate.com [http://www.attunigrate.com] Instagram: instagram.com/attunigrate/ [http://instagram.com/attunigrate/] Facebook: facebook.com/attunigrate [http://facebook.com/attunigrate] TikTok: tiktok.com/@attunigrate [http://tiktok.com/@attunigrate] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/attunigrate/ [http://linkedin.com/company/attunigrate/] Subscribe to If I’m Being Honest and stay attuned. New episodes coming soon! 🎙✨ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and conversational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or mental health treatment. If you are seeking support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional.

The Story Behind Integrity Coffee | Small-Batch Roasting, Rituals & Local Business EP 14

What if coffee wasn’t just something we drink, but something that helps us slow down, connect, and start the day with intention? In this episode of If I’m Being Honest, we sit down with Jeremy Lambert of Integrity Coffee for a warm and honest conversation about small-batch coffee roasting, morning rituals, local business, and what it means to create something with care. Jeremy shares how Integrity Coffee began, from roasting coffee in his basement to building meaningful relationships with customers through fresh, thoughtfully roasted coffee. We talk about the story behind the name, the craft of roasting, the importance of community, and why a simple cup of coffee can become part of a deeper daily rhythm. This conversation is cozy, grounded, and full of heart a reminder that even the small things we return to every day can help us feel more present, connected, and intentional. ☕ Special offer for our listeners: Use code HONEST20 for 20% off your Integrity Coffee order. Shop Integrity Coffee: https://www.integritycoffee22.com/ [https://www.integritycoffee22.com/] Stay real, stay honest, and this episode… stay caffeinated. Stay connected with Attunigrate: Website: www.attunigrate.com [http://www.attunigrate.com] Instagram: instagram.com/attunigrate/ [http://instagram.com/attunigrate/] Facebook: facebook.com/attunigrate [http://facebook.com/attunigrate] TikTok: tiktok.com/@attunigrate [http://tiktok.com/@attunigrate] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/attunigrate/ [http://linkedin.com/company/attunigrate/] Subscribe to If I’m Being Honest and stay attuned. New episodes coming soon! 🎙✨ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and conversational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or mental health treatment. If you are seeking support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional.

When Art Becomes Healing: Theater, Creativity & Mental Wellness EP 13

What if art wasn’t just something we create but something that helps us heal? In this episode of If I’m Being Honest, we’re joined by Edmund Alyn Jones, actor, author, playwright, entrepreneur, teaching artist, and Detroit creative, for a powerful conversation about theater, creativity, neurodivergence, identity, emotional wellness, and the healing power of storytelling. Eddie’s story begins in a way you may not expect: performing as a professional clown at just four years old alongside his grandmother. From there, his love for performance, writing, and community led him to Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, where he found not only a stage but a deeper sense of belonging, discipline, and purpose. Through humor, honesty, and reflection, Eddie shares how theater teaches presence, why many actors are actually introverts, and how creativity can become both a gift and a mirror. Together, we unpack: * The transformative power of theater and acting * How art supports personal growth and emotional wellness * Why live performance teaches presence * The connection between creativity, structure, and mental health * How Mosaic Youth Theatre creates safe and brave spaces * The importance of youth development and community building * How words can “punch,” “pierce,” or “hug.” * Why creative blocks may signal life being out of alignment * How neurodivergence can be understood as a feature, not a flaw * The role of storytelling, ensemble, and belonging in healing This conversation is heartfelt, funny, deeply human, and full of reminders that the parts of us that feel different are not always broken. Sometimes, they are asking to be understood differently. About the Guest Edmund Alyn Jones Actor | Author | Playwright | Entrepreneur | Teaching Artist Edmund Alyn Jones is a Detroit-based creative, award-winning playwright, actor, entrepreneur, and proud Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit alum. He is also the creator of the Off-Booked Acting Method and host of The Verb Gym podcast. Through his work, Eddie brings together theater, storytelling, discipline, creativity, and community to help others connect more deeply with themselves and the world around them. Stay connected with Attunigrate: Website: www.attunigrate.com [http://www.attunigrate.com] Instagram: instagram.com/attunigrate/ [http://instagram.com/attunigrate/] Facebook: facebook.com/attunigrate [http://facebook.com/attunigrate] TikTok: tiktok.com/@attunigrate [http://tiktok.com/@attunigrate] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/attunigrate/ [http://linkedin.com/company/attunigrate/] Subscribe to If I’m Being Honest and stay attuned. New episodes coming soon! 🎙✨