Reclaiming Creativity and Creating Impact Through Storytelling & Connection with Christina Blacken

Building a Business That Honors Culture and Healthy Living with Patricia

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2306875/fan_mail/new] We're joined by Patricia Pauyo, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and founder of Pathway Nutrition LLC, a virtual private practice based in New York. Patricia helps busy professional women of color improve their lab values and manage lifestyle-related chronic illnesses while continuing to enjoy the cultural foods that matter most to them. In this episode, we explore what it means to build a business while honoring the people you serve. Patricia shares how embracing culture, meeting clients where they are, and focusing on sustainable change has shaped both her approach to nutrition and her entrepreneurial journey. We also discuss: * Embracing cultural foods as part of a sustainable approach to nutrition and health * Building a business through different seasons, including seasons of working both full-time in and outside of her business * Celebrating progress—both her own and her clients'—while navigating the realities and challenges of life and business * The value of networking, coaching, and learning from others * Creating systems that support both her clients and her business * What success means to her Connect with Patricia Website: www.pathwaynutritionllc.com [https://pathwaynutritionllc.com] Phone: (516) 234-0819 Email: pathwaynutritionllc@gmail.com [pathwaynutritionllc@gmail.com] Instagram: @pathwaynutritionllc [https://www.instagram.com/pathwaynutritionllc]

From Fearful to Blossoming: Rewiring Fear Patterns with Bobbie Vyas

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2306875/fan_mail/new] Today we're joined by Bobbie Vyas, a Cognitive Fear Rewiring Specialist and creator of the Fear Rewiring Method™ (FRM). Drawing on her background in psychology and counseling, Bobbie helps high-capacity women identify and interrupt the fear-based patterns that lead to overthinking, delaying decisions, and second-guessing themselves. Her work focuses on uncovering what is happening beneath the surface; how our perceptions, experiences, and self-beliefs shape our thinking, fuel fear, and influence our actions. What Bobbie has found is that most people aren't lacking ability. Instead, they're operating from fear patterns they haven't fully identified yet. Through her Fear Rewiring Method™, she helps clients recognize those patterns, challenge them, and develop new ways of thinking that support confidence, growth, and meaningful action. In this episode, we talked about: • Bobbie's journey from living with fear to now building a life and business rooted in growth • Her framework for identifying, reframing, and rewiring fear patterns • The power of mindset, self-talk, and being intentional about the stories we tell ourselves • Learning from setbacks and embracing growth • The creative and unexpected ways she attracts new clients and grows her business • The importance of being present and creating space for personal and professional growth Whether you're building a business, navigating a life transition, or working to overcome self-doubt, this conversation offers practical insights into understanding fear, shifting your mindset, and moving forward with greater confidence, clarity, and intention. Connect with Bobbie LinkedIn: Bobbie Vyas [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbie-vyas-growth/] Instagram: @growthmindsetgrows [https://www.instagram.com/growthmindsetgrows/] Facebook: Bobbie Kaylean Vyas [https://www.facebook.com/bobbie.kaylean.vyas] TikTok: @growthmindsetgrows [https://www.tiktok.com/@bobbievyas] If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might benefit from the conversation. Your support helps us continue sharing the stories, lessons, and experiences of entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals who are building meaningful work and lives.

The Stories We Carry: Fragrance, Identity, and the Art of Becoming with Serene B. Hollingsworth

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2306875/fan_mail/new] Today we're joined by Serene B. Hollingsworth, founder and perfumer of SANCTUAIRE DE FLEURS, a luxury fragrance maison rooted in cultural authorship, memory, and design. Through her work, Serene explores scent as an expression of identity, history, and lived experience, creating fragrances that tell stories often overlooked through traditional narratives. In this episode, we talked about: • Her transformation from a fearful child and young professional into a confident entrepreneur and leader • Navigating and surviving Corporate America while remaining true to herself • Building intentional networks and meaningful relationships throughout her career and entrepreneurial journey • The visibility that came from being featured in The Wall Street Journal—what it meant for her business, and what it didn't mean • The importance of integrity and authenticity in business • The power of persistence, even after being told she didn't have what it takes • The art of creating and composing fragrances from story, memory, culture, and history • Developing fragrances through a women's lens and honoring perspectives that have often been excluded from traditional storytelling • What it means to build a brand that reflects both personal identity and cultural legacy This conversation is a powerful reminder that our stories matter, our experiences have value, and that sometimes the very things that make us different become the foundation for the work we're meant to create. Connect with Serene:  Website: https://sanctuairedefleurs.com [https://sanctuairedefleurs.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serenehollingsworth [https://www.linkedin.com/in/serenehollingsworth/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanctuairedefleurs [https://www.instagram.com/sanctuairedefleurs]

Betting on Yourself: Inside the Creative Mind of Ashley Joseph

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2306875/fan_mail/new] Guest:  Ashley Joseph -  Presenter, Actor & Writer Episode Host: Angela In this episode of Begin, Build, Blossom, we sit down with Ashley Joseph, a dynamic Presenter, Actor & Writer whose work spans global stages, award‑winning television, and celebrated theatre. Deeply rooted in his Saint Lucian heritage, Ashley has built a career defined by versatility, courage, and a relentless commitment to craft. His presenting journey includes hosting the Saudi Arabia Formula E Concerts, Lil Simz’s Meltdown Festival, the Caribbean Summertime Ball, Dubai Music Week, and his signature Valentine’s showcase Lovers and Friends. Ashley is the co‑creator of the hit improv show ACTing Up!, a familiar face from BBC favourites such as Robin Hood, Justin’s House, Doctors, and EastEnders, and the voice behind Jared in the award‑winning animated series JoJo & Gran Gran. His theatre and directing credits include the Olivier Award‑winning Get Up Stand Up and the West End sensation Shifters. As a writer, he is shaping the future of children’s television with projects across the BBC, Channel 5, Cartoon Network, HBO Max, and more. This conversation explores creative courage, craft mastery, resilience, and the power of showing up consistently in a competitive creative industry, offering practical insights for anyone building a creative or entrepreneurial path. More specifically: * The importance of Reading  * Embracing growing older with intention * Continual learning as a creative discipline * Betting on yourself and taking bold chances * Skiing as a Black man — challenging expectations * Choosing the right partners for the right projects * Stepping out of your comfort zone * JoJo & Gran Gran and the impact of representation on Television   Books Mentioned  * The Art of Growing Old — Marie de Hennezel * The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen R. Covey * How to Win Friends and Influence People — Dale Carnegie * The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho    Connect with Ashley * Instagram:  Sir Ashley J (@sir_ashleyjoseph)  [https://www.instagram.com/sir_ashleyjoseph?igsh=bnN5N211aTUxd2sy] * Email: ashleyj.creativeteam@gmail.com [ashleyj.creativeteam@gmail.com]

Meet The Founders Building Zoner From the Ground Up

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2306875/fan_mail/new] Today, we’re learning about a new business called Zoner [https://zoner.pro]. We’re joined by two of Zoner’s three co-founders, Ashlee Okunonke and David Kema. Their fellow co-founder, Bryce Knight, wasn’t able to join us for this conversation.  Ashlee Okunonke is a senior at Manhattan University studying Computer Science and a former software engineer at ADP. She’s planning to pursue graduate school in California while continuing to build products at the intersection of data and real-world impact. David Kema is a senior at Rutgers University (Newark), double majoring in Management Information Systems and Supply Chain Management. He describes himself as a renaissance man; curious, multifaceted, and intentional about growth while also creating spaces where people feel comfortable and truly heard. Together, they are building Zoner from the ground up; a platform focused on helping people make clearer decisions about where to live and develop. In this episode, we talked about: *  The memories, experiences, and entrepreneurs who inspired them along their journey  *  How childhood friends became co-founders and decided to build together  *  Why they chose the entrepreneurship path and how entrepreneurship was nurtured early on  *  The role internships, organizations, and university experiences played in shaping their vision and partnerships  *  The importance of being in the right environments and around people who challenge and support growth  *  What market and product validation has looked like while building Zoner  * What it looks like bringing a startup to life from the ground up  *  Whether founders should wait for the “perfect” product before putting themselves out into the public  *  Representation, impact, and the importance of pouring back into the community  Conect with Zoner: Website: https://zoner.pro Social Media: @whatsyourzone [https://www.instagram.com/whatsyourzone/]