In the Middle

How to Be a Better Friend as an Adult

Adult friendship looks so different than it used to. In this episode of In the Middle, Vykky Howard shares honest and practical thoughts on what it really means to be a good friend as an adult while balancing careers, marriage, motherhood, exhaustion, healing, busy schedules, and everyday life. She reflects on the importance of intentionality, giving people grace in busy seasons, staying connected across distance and time zones, and building friendships that feel safe instead of competitive. Vykky also shares small but meaningful ways to love friends well — from remembering important dates to checking in, praying for people, and learning how to meet friends where they are in different stages of life. This episode is a reminder that healthy friendships don’t require perfection — just intentional care. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a rating/review, and share it with someone navigating life in the middle too. Questions That Need Answers submissions: 📩 mailto:inthemiddle@lifewithvykky.com [inthemiddle@lifewithvykky.com] follow In The Middle on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@inthe_middlepod] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/inthe_middlepod/] Follow Vykky on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@vykkyhoward] and Instagam [https://www.instagram.com/vykkyhoward/]

Things That Actually Make My Life Easier (Not Just Aesthetic)

Things started feeling easier when I stopped trying to manage everything in my head. In this episode of In the Middle, Vykky shares the real-life systems, routines, mindset shifts, and “unlocks” that are helping her navigate life as a working mom, wife, corporate leader, and creator with more ease and less mental overload. From meal planning and outsourcing to household systems, vacation spreadsheets, and reducing decision fatigue, this episode is a candid conversation about what it actually looks like to build a life that supports you instead of constantly exhausting you. Vykky opens up about: * Why she stopped trying to “do it all” * The systems that make everyday life feel smoother * How outsourcing created more presence with her family * Why clarity and predictability matter in her home * The mental load of making decisions in real time * How preparation creates peace—but flexibility protects joy If you’ve ever felt like life is harder than it needs to be, this episode is a reminder that ease isn’t something you stumble into—it’s something you intentionally create. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a rating/review, and share it with someone navigating life in the middle too. Questions That Need Answers submissions: 📩 inthemiddle@lifewithvykky.com [inthemiddle@lifewithvykky.com] follow In The Middle on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@inthe_middlepod] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/inthe_middlepod/] Follow Vykky on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@vykkyhoward] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vykkyhoward/]

How to Build a Career and Still Have a Life

In Part 2 of this series, Vykky shifts the conversation from navigating corporate America to designing a life that actually aligns with who you are. After unpacking the realities of visibility, leadership, and strategy in Part 1, this episode focuses on what comes next: how to make intentional decisions about your career without losing yourself in the process. From redefining ambition to understanding seasons of life, Vykky challenges the pressure to constantly chase more—and instead encourages women to get clear on what they actually want. Because not every woman wants to be a CEO. And not every woman should feel like she has to. This episode is a reminder that success is not one-size-fits-all—and the most powerful thing you can do is define it for yourself. In this episode: • Why you can’t optimize for everything at the same time • The truth about ambition and societal pressure • How to align your career with your actual life goals • Why you need a life strategy before a career strategy • Building success without losing yourself If you’ve ever felt torn between ambition and alignment, this episode is for you. Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@lifewithvykky/podcasts] and listen everywhere podcasts are streamed. Follow In The Middle on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/inthe_middlepod/] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@inthe_middlepod]. Follow Vykky on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vykkyhoward/] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@vykkyhoward].

Corporate America Wasn’t Built for Us: Career Truths for Black Women

In this episode of In the Middle, Vykky dives into one of the most honest conversations women—especially Black women—need to have about success in corporate America. Inspired by the recent conversations around Emma Grede, remote work, hustle culture, motherhood, and ambition, this episode goes beyond the headlines to unpack a bigger truth: corporate America does not feel the same for all of us. Vykky shares her perspective as a Black woman, wife, mother, and corporate leader who has spent her career navigating executive spaces where representation, visibility, leadership, and strategy matter deeply. From why visibility still impacts opportunity, to how leadership can shape your entire career trajectory, to the importance of choosing strategy over blind hustle—this episode is about clarity, not fear. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your career without losing yourself, how to navigate systems that weren’t built equally, or how to balance ambition with alignment, this conversation is for you. This is Part One of a two-part series on women, work, and corporate America. Because hard work matters—but strategy matters too. Follow Vykky on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vykkyhoward/] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@vykkyhoward] Follow the podcast on Instagam [https://www.instagram.com/inthe_middlepod/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@inthe_middlepod], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@lifewithvykky/podcasts]

I Thought I Lost My Vision in Hawaii… and It Changed My Perspective

A relaxing vacation in Hawaii takes a scary turn when Vykky experiences sudden eye pain, blurred vision, and an emergency room visit that leaves her questioning her eyesight. In this episode of In the Middle, she shares the full story of what happened, from a hot tub incident to hours of uncertainty, and how the experience forced her to reflect on how quickly life can change. Beyond the moment itself, this episode unpacks what happens mentally in crisis and how clarity often comes when everything feels uncertain. Three truths from this experience: * Life can change faster than you think * Your mind will try to protect you in crisis * Moments like this clarify what actually matters If you need a reminder to slow down, reset your priorities, and focus on what truly matters—this episode is for you. Follow Vykky on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vykkyhoward/] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@vykkyhoward] Follow the podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/inthe_middlepod/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@lifewithvykky/podcasts], and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@inthe_middlepod]