196: Your Unfair Advantage Is the Key You’re Ignoring

200: Am I Putting Enough Effort Into My Relationships?

Are you actually showing up for your people… or just thinking about showing up? 👀 In this milestone 200th episode of The Great Area Podcast, we get honest about effort in friendships and relationships. From birthday texts and “bare minimum energy,” to vulnerability, love languages, boundaries, and why in-person connection hits different — this conversation unpacks what it really means to be present for the people you care about without losing yourself in the process. We talk about: How to know if you’re doing “enough” The difference between effort and people-pleasing Why communication styles & love languages matter When to fall back vs. when to lean in Building your life without leaving your people behind If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I a bad friend?” or “Why does it feel one-sided?” — this one’s for you. Join the Patreon to watch us live each week patreon.com/thegraearea [http://patreon.com/thegraearea] Take our survey: https://forms.gle/BjWJeAWewAUWbCUD6 [https://forms.gle/BjWJeAWewAUWbCUD6] Watch This On Youtube: https://youtu.be/jJJbK2lzUUg [https://youtu.be/zZ_c9H8YXRw] Stream our intro song, "Get Out My Face" by ShakoyahD., Daman((I)), and Bn.Breeze: https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-out-my-face-feat-daman-i-bn-breeze-single/1778176776 [https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-out-my-face-feat-daman-i-bn-breeze-single/1778176776] NEW MUSIC From The Grae Area: "Til Shiloh" - BN.Breeze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1JPl3fVfnc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1JPl3fVfnc] "Ambivert" - Daman((I)) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n3_thKTY7zd6AkpfpUdfW82ZRqDlUwFlU&si=FjyDUdhkYk-nwpWN [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n3_thKTY7zd6AkpfpUdfW82ZRqDlUwFlU&si=FjyDUdhkYk-nwpWN] "I'll Let You" - ShakoyahD. https://linktr.ee/jusmeshakoyahd [https://linktr.ee/jusmeshakoyahd] Buy Our Music ShakoyahD. https://www.even.biz/r/i-ll-let-you [https://www.even.biz/r/i-ll-let-you] Daman((I)) https://www.even.biz/r/ambivert-the-introversion [https://www.even.biz/r/ambivert-the-introversion] Stream our music ---- ShakoyahD.'s Music: https://www.youtube.com/@JusMeShakoyahD?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@JusMeShakoyahD?sub_confirmation=1] ---- BN.Breeze's Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGRB9b-Uzqc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGRB9b-Uzqc] ---- Daman((I))'s Music:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaK2HyQjSIhF80nyf5x0sMBKQeQZjkUxg&si=r0MwGoUXsYdqHSJQ [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaK2HyQjSIhF80nyf5x0sMBKQeQZjkUxg&si=r0MwGoUXsYdqHSJQ] Watch Love, The Creative Black Woman Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfX9E9qJPs&list=PLQ6wLxouRFyIPafHL1zOx4eJwuw8G7VTP [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfX9E9qJPs&list=PLQ6wLxouRFyIPafHL1zOx4eJwuw8G7VTP] Paintings & Prints by BN.Breeze https://omnimiatelier.com/ [https://omnimiatelier.com/] Sign Up for Art Commissions by BN.Breeze https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaVW6w1iUMxIQeG4nMkJNPgb2v7OwsIEjSGG4CWJKJdIWlOw/viewform?pli=1 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaVW6w1iUMxIQeG4nMkJNPgb2v7OwsIEjSGG4CWJKJdIWlOw/viewform?pli=1]  ⏳ TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS 00:00 – The question of the day: Am I putting enough effort into my relationships? 03:20 – Bare minimum vs. real effort (birthdays, holidays, checking in) 07:45 – How much communication is “enough”? 11:30 – Different needs, different expectations 15:40 – Love languages & effort (gifts, time, acts of service) 20:10 – Being busy vs. being emotionally unavailable 24:30 – Head down building your life… and forgetting your people 29:10 – In-person connection vs. texting & phone calls 33:40 – When the effort feels one-sided 38:00 – Do you talk it out or fall back? 42:20 – Old friendships vs. new connections 46:50 – Being the main character without sidelining others 51:10 – Final reflections: Could we be doing more? 55:00 – Closing thoughts & takeaways

199: Does Your Time Match Your Priorities?

In this episode, we get honest about time, priorities, and the gap between what we say matters and how we actually spend our days. From self-care vs. guilt, creativity as a form of worship, sleep schedules, people-pleasing, and why putting yourself first isn’t selfish—it’s necessary—this conversation turns into a full reset. If you’ve ever felt busy but misaligned, productive but drained, or guilty for resting, this episode is for you. Pull up, reflect, and ask yourself the question we all had to face: does my time allocation really match my priorities? Join the Patreon to watch us live each week patreon.com/thegraearea [http://patreon.com/thegraearea] Take our survey: https://forms.gle/BjWJeAWewAUWbCUD6 [https://forms.gle/BjWJeAWewAUWbCUD6] Watch This On Youtube: https://youtu.be/zZ_c9H8YXRw [https://youtu.be/zZ_c9H8YXRw] Stream our intro song, "Get Out My Face" by ShakoyahD., Daman((I)), and Bn.Breeze: https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-out-my-face-feat-daman-i-bn-breeze-single/1778176776 [https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-out-my-face-feat-daman-i-bn-breeze-single/1778176776] NEW MUSIC From The Grae Area: "Til Shiloh" - BN.Breeze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1JPl3fVfnc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1JPl3fVfnc] "Ambivert" - Daman((I)) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n3_thKTY7zd6AkpfpUdfW82ZRqDlUwFlU&si=FjyDUdhkYk-nwpWN [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n3_thKTY7zd6AkpfpUdfW82ZRqDlUwFlU&si=FjyDUdhkYk-nwpWN] "I'll Let You" - ShakoyahD. https://linktr.ee/jusmeshakoyahd [https://linktr.ee/jusmeshakoyahd] Buy Our Music ShakoyahD. https://www.even.biz/r/i-ll-let-you [https://www.even.biz/r/i-ll-let-you] Daman((I)) https://www.even.biz/r/ambivert-the-introversion [https://www.even.biz/r/ambivert-the-introversion] Stream our music ---- ShakoyahD.'s Music: https://www.youtube.com/@JusMeShakoyahD?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@JusMeShakoyahD?sub_confirmation=1] ---- BN.Breeze's Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGRB9b-Uzqc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGRB9b-Uzqc] ---- Daman((I))'s Music:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaK2HyQjSIhF80nyf5x0sMBKQeQZjkUxg&si=r0MwGoUXsYdqHSJQ [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaK2HyQjSIhF80nyf5x0sMBKQeQZjkUxg&si=r0MwGoUXsYdqHSJQ] Watch Love, The Creative Black Woman Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfX9E9qJPs&list=PLQ6wLxouRFyIPafHL1zOx4eJwuw8G7VTP [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfX9E9qJPs&list=PLQ6wLxouRFyIPafHL1zOx4eJwuw8G7VTP] Paintings & Prints by BN.Breeze https://omnimiatelier.com/ [https://omnimiatelier.com/] Sign Up for Art Commissions by BN.Breeze https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaVW6w1iUMxIQeG4nMkJNPgb2v7OwsIEjSGG4CWJKJdIWlOw/viewform?pli=1 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaVW6w1iUMxIQeG4nMkJNPgb2v7OwsIEjSGG4CWJKJdIWlOw/viewform?pli=1]

198: God in Your Bones: Discovering Your Talent Through Creation

What if your talent is the very place where you feel closest to God? In this episode, the crew explores creativity as communion — where music, art, writing, and creating become sacred space. From late-night songwriting sessions to wrestling with guilt, priorities, fear, and faith, this conversation dives deep into what it means to honor your gift, trust divine guidance, and create without apology. If you’ve ever felt most alive while creating — or guilty when you don’t — this episode will feel like home. 🔑 Key Takeaways Your talent is often where you feel closest to God Creating can be a form of worship and communication with God Guilt fades when you consistently honor your gift Fear, priorities, and imagined opinions block creativity more than lack of skill You don’t need full clarity — obedience comes before understanding Staying in the creative space reveals growth, patterns, and purpose Honoring intuition is another way of honoring God 🎧 Listener Prompt (CTA) Ask yourself today: What activity makes me feel most connected to God — and how often am I making space for it? If this episode resonated, share it with a creative who’s been doubting their gift, and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us on Patreon for more behind-the-scenes creative conversations. Join the Patreon to watch us live each week patreon.com/thegraearea [http://patreon.com/thegraearea] Take our survey: https://forms.gle/BjWJeAWewAUWbCUD6 [https://forms.gle/BjWJeAWewAUWbCUD6] Watch This On Youtube: https://youtu.be/zZ_c9H8YXRw [https://youtu.be/zZ_c9H8YXRw] Tiktok Mentioned: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8fF2JRG/ [https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8fF2JRG/] Books Mentioned:  - The Science of Being Great by Wallace D. Wattles - The Way of The Superior Man by David Deida - Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill Stream our intro song, "Get Out My Face" by ShakoyahD., Daman((I)), and Bn.Breeze: https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-out-my-face-feat-daman-i-bn-breeze-single/1778176776 [https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-out-my-face-feat-daman-i-bn-breeze-single/1778176776] NEW MUSIC From The Grae Area: "Til Shiloh" - BN.Breeze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1JPl3fVfnc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1JPl3fVfnc] "Ambivert" - Daman((I)) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n3_thKTY7zd6AkpfpUdfW82ZRqDlUwFlU&si=FjyDUdhkYk-nwpWN [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n3_thKTY7zd6AkpfpUdfW82ZRqDlUwFlU&si=FjyDUdhkYk-nwpWN] "I'll Let You" - ShakoyahD. https://linktr.ee/jusmeshakoyahd [https://linktr.ee/jusmeshakoyahd] Buy Our Music ShakoyahD. https://www.even.biz/r/i-ll-let-you [https://www.even.biz/r/i-ll-let-you] Daman((I)) https://www.even.biz/r/ambivert-the-introversion [https://www.even.biz/r/ambivert-the-introversion] Stream our music ---- ShakoyahD.'s Music: https://www.youtube.com/@JusMeShakoyahD?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@JusMeShakoyahD?sub_confirmation=1] ---- BN.Breeze's Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGRB9b-Uzqc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGRB9b-Uzqc] ---- Daman((I))'s Music:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaK2HyQjSIhF80nyf5x0sMBKQeQZjkUxg&si=r0MwGoUXsYdqHSJQ [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaK2HyQjSIhF80nyf5x0sMBKQeQZjkUxg&si=r0MwGoUXsYdqHSJQ] Watch Love, The Creative Black Woman Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfX9E9qJPs&list=PLQ6wLxouRFyIPafHL1zOx4eJwuw8G7VTP [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfX9E9qJPs&list=PLQ6wLxouRFyIPafHL1zOx4eJwuw8G7VTP] Paintings & Prints by BN.Breeze https://omnimiatelier.com/ [https://omnimiatelier.com/] Sign Up for Art Commissions by BN.Breeze https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaVW6w1iUMxIQeG4nMkJNPgb2v7OwsIEjSGG4CWJKJdIWlOw/viewform?pli=1 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaVW6w1iUMxIQeG4nMkJNPgb2v7OwsIEjSGG4CWJKJdIWlOw/viewform?pli=1]  Follow us on IG @GraeAreaPodcast Email Us: Thegraeareapodcast@gmail.com

197: Experimenters vs Finishers: Rick Rubin’s Creative Theory Explained

Are you the kind of creative who loves experimenting but struggles to finish, or someone who finishes fast but wonders if the work could be better? In this episode of the Grae Area Podcast, we break down a powerful concept from Rick Rubin’s book The Creative Act: 👉 Experimenters vs Finishers. ✨ We explore how different types of creatives approach: ✨  Art, music, painting, and songwriting ✨  Deadlines, flow state, and procrastination ✨  Perfectionism vs progress ✨  Knowing when something is actually “finished” ✨  This conversation is raw, funny, and deeply relatable for anyone navigating the creative process. ✨  Whether you’re an artist, musician, writer, or creative entrepreneur, this episode will help you understand how you create—so you can create better. Join the Patreon to watch us live each week patreon.com/thegraearea [http://patreon.com/thegraearea] Take our survey: https://forms.gle/BjWJeAWewAUWbCUD6 [https://forms.gle/BjWJeAWewAUWbCUD6] Watch This On Youtube: https://youtu.be/dVeKIXPQj2g [https://youtu.be/dVeKIXPQj2g] Books Mentioned: "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin Stream our intro song, "Get Out My Face" by ShakoyahD., Daman((I)), and Bn.Breeze: https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-out-my-face-feat-daman-i-bn-breeze-single/1778176776 [https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-out-my-face-feat-daman-i-bn-breeze-single/1778176776] NEW MUSIC From The Grae Area: "Til Shiloh" - BN.Breeze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1JPl3fVfnc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1JPl3fVfnc] "Ambivert" - Daman((I)) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n3_thKTY7zd6AkpfpUdfW82ZRqDlUwFlU&si=FjyDUdhkYk-nwpWN [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n3_thKTY7zd6AkpfpUdfW82ZRqDlUwFlU&si=FjyDUdhkYk-nwpWN] "I'll Let You" - ShakoyahD. https://linktr.ee/jusmeshakoyahd [https://linktr.ee/jusmeshakoyahd] Buy Our Music ShakoyahD. https://www.even.biz/r/i-ll-let-you [https://www.even.biz/r/i-ll-let-you] Daman((I)) https://www.even.biz/r/ambivert-the-introversion [https://www.even.biz/r/ambivert-the-introversion] Stream our music ---- ShakoyahD.'s Music: https://www.youtube.com/@JusMeShakoyahD?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@JusMeShakoyahD?sub_confirmation=1] ---- BN.Breeze's Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGRB9b-Uzqc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGRB9b-Uzqc] ---- Daman((I))'s Music:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaK2HyQjSIhF80nyf5x0sMBKQeQZjkUxg&si=r0MwGoUXsYdqHSJQ [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaK2HyQjSIhF80nyf5x0sMBKQeQZjkUxg&si=r0MwGoUXsYdqHSJQ] Watch Love, The Creative Black Woman Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfX9E9qJPs&list=PLQ6wLxouRFyIPafHL1zOx4eJwuw8G7VTP [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfX9E9qJPs&list=PLQ6wLxouRFyIPafHL1zOx4eJwuw8G7VTP] Paintings & Prints by BN.Breeze https://omnimiatelier.com/ [https://omnimiatelier.com/] Sign Up for Art Commissions by BN.Breeze https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaVW6w1iUMxIQeG4nMkJNPgb2v7OwsIEjSGG4CWJKJdIWlOw/viewform?pli=1 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaVW6w1iUMxIQeG4nMkJNPgb2v7OwsIEjSGG4CWJKJdIWlOw/viewform?pli=1]  Follow us on IG @GraeAreaPodcast Email Us: Thegraeareapodcast@gmail.com

196: Your Unfair Advantage Is the Key You’re Ignoring

In this episode, we dive deep into the idea of unfair advantages—and why avoiding them might actually be holding you back. From personality and perspective to connections, creativity, and upbringing, everyone has something that gives them an edge. The conversation explores why we often downplay our strengths, how guilt and the need for “fairness” keep us stuck, and what changes when we finally lean into what makes us us. This episode is a powerful reminder that your advantages aren’t something to hide—they’re something to use. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable standing out, succeeding too easily, or being “ahead,” this episode will challenge you to rethink everything. Tune in as we unpack: ✨ Everyone has unfair advantages—even if they don’t look the same ✨ Avoiding your strengths doesn’t make life fairer, it makes it harder ✨ Guilt and fear of outshining others often block growth ✨ Gifts, talents, personality, and perspective can all be unfair advantages ✨ Life isn’t about equal starting points—it’s about using your piece on the board ✨ Leaning into who you are makes life easier, freer, and more fulfilling ✨ You don’t owe anyone smaller versions of yourself Join the Patreon to watch us live each week patreon.com/thegraearea [http://patreon.com/thegraearea] Take our survey: https://forms.gle/BjWJeAWewAUWbCUD6 [https://forms.gle/BjWJeAWewAUWbCUD6] Watch This On Youtube: https://youtu.be/u1GxQ5-emq4 [https://youtu.be/u1GxQ5-emq4] Books Mentioned: "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks Videos Mentioned: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UGXbxu/ [https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UGXbxu/] ______________________________ Stream our intro song, "Get Out My Face" by ShakoyahD., Daman((I)), and Bn.Breeze: https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-out-my-face-feat-daman-i-bn-breeze-single/1778176776 [https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-out-my-face-feat-daman-i-bn-breeze-single/1778176776] NEW MUSIC From The Grae Area: "Til Shiloh" - BN.Breeze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1JPl3fVfnc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1JPl3fVfnc] "Ambivert" - Daman((I)) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n3_thKTY7zd6AkpfpUdfW82ZRqDlUwFlU&si=FjyDUdhkYk-nwpWN [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n3_thKTY7zd6AkpfpUdfW82ZRqDlUwFlU&si=FjyDUdhkYk-nwpWN] "I'll Let You" - ShakoyahD. https://linktr.ee/jusmeshakoyahd [https://linktr.ee/jusmeshakoyahd] Buy Our Music ShakoyahD. https://www.even.biz/r/i-ll-let-you [https://www.even.biz/r/i-ll-let-you] Daman((I)) https://www.even.biz/r/ambivert-the-introversion [https://www.even.biz/r/ambivert-the-introversion] Stream our music ---- ShakoyahD.'s Music: https://www.youtube.com/@JusMeShakoyahD?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@JusMeShakoyahD?sub_confirmation=1] ---- BN.Breeze's Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGRB9b-Uzqc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGRB9b-Uzqc] ---- Daman((I))'s Music:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaK2HyQjSIhF80nyf5x0sMBKQeQZjkUxg&si=r0MwGoUXsYdqHSJQ [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaK2HyQjSIhF80nyf5x0sMBKQeQZjkUxg&si=r0MwGoUXsYdqHSJQ] Watch Love, The Creative Black Woman Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfX9E9qJPs&list=PLQ6wLxouRFyIPafHL1zOx4eJwuw8G7VTP [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfX9E9qJPs&list=PLQ6wLxouRFyIPafHL1zOx4eJwuw8G7VTP] Paintings & Prints by BN.Breeze https://omnimiatelier.com/ [https://omnimiatelier.com/] Sign Up for Art Commissions by BN.Breeze https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaVW6w1iUMxIQeG4nMkJNPgb2v7OwsIEjSGG4CWJKJdIWlOw/viewform?pli=1 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaVW6w1iUMxIQeG4nMkJNPgb2v7OwsIEjSGG4CWJKJdIWlOw/viewform?pli=1]  Follow us on IG @GraeAreaPodcast Email Us: Thegraeareapodcast@gmail.com