E3. Don't put all your eggs in one basket

Baby fever and making babies: The things not talked about

Welcome to season 2 of With ClariTea. I am so happy you're still here or you've joined me! I started this podcast to share my stories because sharing real, wholehearted, and vulnerable expressions of our lived experiences gives others to live freely. In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with AJ from @readingwithglamour. Her energy is just as beautiful as she is and it all shines through in this episode. Fun fact, we met while we were both newly minted TFA Corps members in 2007 in Houston at our summer institute training. Years later, we reunited for a conversation that is real and full of hmmmm’s and right’s because we need to have conversations about experiences to rid us all of the shame that dealing with them in silence brings us. Who is AJ? Reading fuels her soul, books are her business, and literature is her love language. When it comes to influencing people to read, AJ infuses fun, humor, beauty, style and charisma. AJ highlights and promotes books written by BIPOC authors as well as faith-based books. She started posting book reviews on Instagram, @readingwithglamour, in May of 2020 as a therapeutic exercise. Little did she know, it would turn into more than she could imagine.  As a Literary Influencer, AJ has partnered with publishing companies such as Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, and W.W. Norton and Company.  In addition, she has interviewed authors such as Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child, Elizabeth Nyamayaro, Executive Director of United Nations Women, and Jason Wilson, the author of Battle Cry and Cry Like A Man.  AJ is an Elementary School Counselor by day and a Book Pusher by night. Stone Mountain, Georgia raised her, and Houston, Texas pays her! I am beyond excited to share her story and our conversation with you! If you are enjoying the show, let me know what you think! Please be sure to rate and subscribe to my show. Connect with me and tell me what you thought about this episode. I would love to hear from you. Connect with me! www.ashleyvgantt.com [http://www.ashleyvgantt.com] Facebook: Ashley V. Gantt Instagram: @withclaritea Twitter: @withclaritea

E3. Don't put all your eggs in one basket

Welcome to season 2 of With ClariTea. I am so happy you're still here or you've joined me! I started this podcast to share my stories because sharing real, wholehearted, and vulnerable expressions of our lived experiences gives others to live freely. In this episode, I am getting really personal and vulnerable and its scary for me. For real. I made the decision to freeze my eggs and this episode delves into my why and things I learned about myself while going through the process. Women in their 30’s hearing the question “when are you going to have a baby?” more than we care to, but what do you do when you want to focus on yourself and the clock is ticking? You freeze that dang clock! I hope this episode pushes you to give yourself more options and to choose your life instead of simply letting things happen to you. If you are enjoying the show, let me know. Please be sure to rate and subscribe to my show. Connect with me and tell me what you thought about this episode. I would love to hear from you. Connect with me! www.ashleyvgantt.com [http://www.ashleyvgantt.com] Facebook: Ashley V. Gantt Instagram: @withclaritea Twitter: @withclaritea #withClariTea #shame #healing #therapy #selfworth #blackwomen #blackmen

E2: “Shame on who? With Altreneasha Ervin, LMFT”

Welcome to season 2 of With ClariTea. I am so happy you're still here or you've joined me! I started this podcast to share my stories because sharing real, wholehearted, and vulnerable expressions of our lived experiences gives others to live freely. In this episode, I am joined by my high school classmate, former colleague and therapist Altreneasha Ervin, LMFT. She is a Georgia based therapist and owner of Connecting Hearts Counseling. Altreneasha gives us insight into dealing with shame when you’re ready for change, but not quite ready to start therapy. She drops some great pearls of wisdom for us in this episode with her authentic and relatable stories she shares about her own experiences with shame. This is part two of a two-part series, so I hope you enjoyed both episodes! If you are enjoying the show, let me know. Please be sure to rate and subscribe to my show. Connect with me and tell me what you thought about this episode. I would love to hear from you. You can connect with Altreneasha on Instagram at @connectingheartsga and www.connectingheartsga.com [http://www.connectingheartsga.com] Connect with me! www.ashleyvgantt.com [http://www.ashleyvgantt.com] Facebook: Ashley V. Gantt Instagram: @withclaritea Twitter: @withclaritea #withClariTea #shame #healing #therapy #selfworth #blackwomen #blackmen

Bonus 1: Why you gotta be so INSECURE? with Chris Horne

Welcome to season 2 of With ClariTea. I am so happy you're still here or you've joined me! I started this podcast to share my stories because sharing real, wholehearted, and vulnerable expressions of our lived experiences gives others to live freely. In this BONUS episode, I am joined by my good friend Chris Horne who is my favorite person to chat about the show Insecure with. Chris and I met before season 4 and we talked after each episode, so naturally we talked through season 5 and the end of the show. After the show ended in December, I pitched the idea to Chris joining me for an episode and to my great surprise and pleasure, he agreed! We tried and failed at keeping this episode under an hour, but this was a great reason to go over the hour threshold. If you’ve watched Insecure, please tune in to the episode and tell me if you had any other thoughts or if you agree or disagree with our analysis of the characters and the storyline. If you are enjoying the show, let me know. Please be sure to rate and subscribe to my show. Connect with me and tell me what you thought about this episode. I would love to hear from you. Connect with me! www.ashleyvgantt.com [http://www.ashleyvgantt.com] Facebook: Ashley V. Gantt Instagram: @withclaritea Twitter: @withclaritea #withClariTea #Insecure #HBO #IssaRae #millenniallove #blackwomen #blackmen #blacklawyers

E1. Low down, dirty SHAME

Welcome to season 2 of With ClariTea. I am so happy you're still here or you've joined me! I started this podcast to share my stories because sharing real, wholehearted, and vulnerable expressions of our lived experiences gives others to live freely. In this episode, I am talking about how I realized I was riddled with shame and its impact on every part of my life. In 2019, I wanted another experience. I wanted one full of joy and love, so I knew I had to get rid of shame. This is part one of a two part series, so I hope you enjoy it! If you are enjoying the show, let me know. Please be sure to rate and subscribe to my show. Connect with me and tell me what you thought about this episode. I would love to hear from you. Connect with me! www.ashleyvgantt.com [http://www.ashleyvgantt.com] Facebook: Ashley V. Gantt Instagram: @withclaritea Twitter: @withclaritea #withClariTea #wsabm #rachelrogers #boundaries #selfcare #blackwomen #lawyers