Unmuted by Nola

People often talk about motherhood as something women have to manage around work.Or as the thing that somehow turns us into magical multitaskers.Honestly?Neither story has ever felt completely true to me.In this season two finale, I unpack eight ways motherhood has quietly made me better at my job… not because it “fixed” me, but because it exposed me.My urgency.My perfectionism.My over-functioning.My tendency to mistake friction for failure.From daycare pickup and time entry… to clingy soccer practices, gray blankets in family pictures, emails I wisely never sent, and a little girl stopping to blow flowers while I was mentally three meetings ahead…This episode is about what motherhood taught me about:• Time• Focus• Emotional regulation• Invisible labor• Worth• Perfectionism• Triage• And what success actually feels likeAnd while motherhood is my lens…The lessons are much bigger than parenting.If you’ve ever chased squirrels professionally, confused busy with effective, or mistaken a hard moment for a verdict on your competence…This one’s for you.⸻Music CreditsTuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng.

Some conversations don’t end when the mic turns off.They keep going in group chats.On sister calls.At the kitchen table.This was one of those.After my last episode sparked bigger conversations, I invited my sisters Tiffany and Kara back to keep it going.We talked about motherhood, faith, judgment, respectability, and the questions women can get tired of answering, even when life doesn’t unfold the way they were taught it should.About the question underneath the question.About grace.About church.About family that may not fit neat boxes, but can be whole all the same.There is laughter in this one.There is honesty in this one.And there may be a few things said that could get us kicked out of somebody’s Bible study.Pull up a chair.This one feels like the kitchen table.🎧 Listen, share, and send it to a sister or friend if it resonates.Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

I thought my life would follow a certain order.Marriage.Then family.Then everything else falling into place.But at some point, life stopped feeling theoretical… and started feeling real.In this episode of Unmuted by Nola, I’m talking about what happens when your life doesn’t follow the blueprint you were given—and the decisions you’re left to make when everything doesn’t line up the way you thought it would.We get into: • the moment timing becomes real • what shifts when you’ve built a full life on your own • the tension between what you were taught and what you’re actually living • and what it looks like to choose differently… on purposeThis isn’t a how-to.And it’s not a perfect answer.It’s a real conversation about navigating life when the plan changes—and learning to trust yourself anyway.⸻🎵 Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng.

What if the problem isn’t you?What if it’s not your time management, your discipline, or your ability to “handle it all”?What if the math just… doesn’t work?In this episode, I sit with something I’ve been trying not to fix—and start asking a different question:What if this isn’t something that can be done better?From the invisible mental load to the expectations we carry (and the ones we place on ourselves), this is an honest conversation about what it actually feels like to hold everything at once.No quick fixes. No perfect system.Just the truth.If you’ve ever felt like everything needs you—and you still don’t have enough to give—this one is for you.🎶Music Credits🎶Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng.

This wasn’t supposed to be a deep moment.I came home from a girls’ day and my garage was clean.Not “a little better” clean… but completely rearranged in a way I hadn’t been able to do for months.And I couldn’t stop thinking about why.Why it took me so long…why it felt so hard…and how someone else could walk in and see exactly what needed to move.This episode isn’t really about a garage.It’s about what happens when you’re too close to your own life to see it clearly…and what it looks like to start paying attention before things pile up.⸻Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

Perfectionism isn’t just about high standards. It’s about what you make things mean when they don’t go the way you expected.In this episode of Unmuted by Nola, Nola shares a real-time experience of showing up, knowing she wasn’t fully ready, and what happened when preparation didn’t translate into control.This isn’t a polished reflection. It’s what perfectionism feels like in the moment. The overthinking. The self-doubt. The quiet urge to leave when you don’t feel immediately competent.If you’ve ever struggled to believe encouragement or questioned yourself the second something didn’t click, this episode will hit.⸻🎧 Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

We hear it everywhere.“We all have the same 24 hours.”It’s usually framed as motivation — a reminder that discipline and hard work are the difference between where we are and where we want to be.But what happens when that phrase quietly turns into a measuring stick?In this episode, I unpack why the “same 24 hours” mindset can be both misleading and damaging — especially when it ignores the invisible infrastructure behind people’s lives.Because time isn’t the only variable.Support systems matter.Health matters.Responsibilities matter.And the invisible labor people carry every day matters.From leadership to motherhood to the quiet pressure many of us place on ourselves to prove we can handle everything, this episode explores what happens when capacity gets mistaken for character.And why sometimes the real growth looks like recognizing that just because you can do something the hard way…doesn’t mean you should.If you’ve ever felt grateful for your life but still exhausted inside it — this conversation is for you.⸻Music CreditsTuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream:https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

In this episode of Unmuted by Nola, I’m joined by my friend and fellow lawyer Kelsey Knowles.What started years ago as a “work best friend” relationship has grown into something closer to adult sisterhood. In this conversation, we talk about the kind of strength that often goes unnoticed — the steady kind — and how life’s harder seasons shape the way we lead, show up for others, and find joy anyway.It’s a conversation about resilience, friendship, leadership, and the people who help steady us when life gets complicated.And yes… why at one point I told her very seriously:“You can’t die before me.”⸻Music CreditsTuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

Sometimes nothing is wrong… and it still hits different.In this episode of Unmuted by Nola, I explore the quiet second layer many of us carry as we move through the world — noticing patterns in storytelling, leadership, and everyday life.This isn’t about outrage.It’s about awareness.And the subtle weight of what we see over time.A reflective conversation on representation, power, and why range — not blame — is what many of us are still hoping for.🎵 Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

Everyone has been so excited about my return to private practice.Supportive. Encouraging. Certain I’ll be great.So why does coming back feel more disorienting than expected?This episode is about returning to something familiar as a different version of yourself — and the quiet recalibration that follows.🎵 Music credit Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng.

Lately I’ve been sitting with a quiet question:Who am I trying to impress?Not dramatically. Not in a spiral. Just honestly.This episode is a reflection on polish, belonging, and the subtle pressure to signal success once you find yourself in rooms you didn’t grow up in. The internal math. The invisible rules. The difference between preference and protection.And the ongoing work of deciding which expectations actually deserve our energy.If you’ve ever caught yourself performing belonging instead of inhabiting it, this one’s for you.Stay unmuted.⸻Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

When you tell people you’re leaving something you once called a dream job, they immediately assume something went wrong.They look for burnout.They want the tea.But sometimes… nothing broke.In this short Unmuted by Nola episode, I reflect on my last day at a role that changed me — what this season taught me about leadership, motherhood, having options, and learning to build without a playbook.If you’re standing in a transition, this one is for you.Sometimes leaving doesn’t mean something went wrong.Sometimes it just means it’s time.🎵 Music CreditTuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

Lately, I’ve been sitting with a quiet but unsettling question:How do we keep going when cruelty is happening in plain sight—without becoming numb, hardened, or detached from our humanity?This episode isn’t about politics, persuasion, or having the right answers.It’s about moral clarity colliding with grief.It’s about holding anger and tenderness at the same time.And it’s about what it means to stay human—especially when you’re still expected to live your life, show up for work, and be a safe place for the people who depend on you.I talk about:Why numbness is a survival response—but not one I want to live insideThe difference between responsibility and controlThe line we don’t cross, even when harm is explained awayWhat it means to protect innocence without lying about the worldHow to choose where to stay awake, instead of trying to carry everythingOutrage is understandable. This episode is about how we hold it without losing ourselves.If you’ve been feeling angry, sad, overwhelmed, or quietly afraid—and wondering how to keep going without losing yourself—this episode is for you.🎵 Music CreditTuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

In this episode, I reflect on what happens when you stop outsourcing your preferences — and start choosing what actually lights you up.From event outfits and bold shoes, to the rug that doesn’t “go,” to opening the champagne even when the moment isn’t perfect, this isn’t an episode about style.It’s about self-trust.Not everything needs to make sense to everyone else to be right for you.Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library: https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

This episode isn’t about reinventing yourself or doing more.It’s about questioning the things we’ve been told matter — and deciding what actually does.I’m sharing a few of my current hot takes on work, wellness, ambition, parenting, and why so much of what we stress over is unnecessary.Some of it is serious.Some of it is light.All of it is honest.If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, over-scheduled, or quietly craving more ease this year — press play.Music credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy BeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library: https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

This episode isn’t about doing more.It’s about being honest about what’s enough — and what unlimited actually means.In the quiet space between Christmas and New Year’s, I found myself reflecting — not because anything went wrong, but because something underneath the surface was asking to be noticed.What started as a simple word exercise turned into something a lot deeper than I expected — a reckoning with responsibility, over-giving, self-permission, and the realization that being enough doesn’t have to be earned — and that unlimited doesn’t mean limitless output.In this episode, I reflect on:​ how the word Unlimited surfaced — and the pressure test that followed​ the difference between being responsible and being self-erasing​ why reflection has to come before intention​ and what it means to think about legacy without rushing to decisionsThis isn’t a manifesto.It’s a pause.A conversation about being enough and living unlimited — on your terms.🎶 MUSIC CREDITSTuesday Vibes by Snoozy BeatsSoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library: https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

The holidays can be emotionally complicated — even when things are good, even when you love your family, even when there’s laughter, food, and tradition.In this episode of Unmuted by Nola, we slow down and talk about what the holiday season often brings beneath the surface: family dynamics, old roles, grief, guilt, and the quiet emotional labor of showing up.This conversation explores: • why family gatherings aren’t neutral spaces, but emotional archives • loving families that are still layered and draining at times • grief during the holidays — both visible and unspoken • how growth and change can feel personal to others • navigating guilt without resentment • protecting your mental health while staying connected • and giving yourself grace as Christmas approachesThis isn’t about blame or fixing anything. It’s about honoring complexity, releasing what no longer serves you, and entering the season with more compassion — for others and for yourself.If the holidays feel beautiful and heavy, you’re not doing it wrong.🎶 Music credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy BeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)Music promoted by Audio Library

December has a way of asking for more than we have to give.In this episode of Unmuted by Nola, I’m talking about the social side of the holidays — the invitations, gatherings, family expectations, work parties, and the quiet pressure to be everywhere, for everyone, all at once.We unpack: • why not everything is worth the stress it costs • how to set boundaries without guilt or drama • the invisible energy tax of holiday socializing • adult-only events, babysitters, and weeknight logistics • choosing peace over obligation • and why loving from your couch is still lovingThis isn’t about opting out of connection — it’s about choosing presence where it actually fits.If you’re feeling festive and fatigued, this one’s for you.🎶 Music credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy BeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)Music promoted by Audio Library

December is not a month — it’s a personality.In this lighthearted episode of Unmuted by Nola, Nola unpacks the cozy chaos of the holiday season: the magic, the germs, the deadlines, the sugar, the emotional whiplash — and the annual selection of which mom will be taken out by sickness first.From advent books and toddler Christmas energy to travel prep and making magic while sick, this episode is equal parts funny, honest, and deeply relatable. It’s about choosing presence over perfection, letting go of the pressure to perform the holidays, and remembering that even when you’re tired, the magic still counts.If December already feels like a lot… this one’s for you.Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy BeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library: https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

Why do so many of us feel invisible — even in rooms where we show up fully?Why does competence sometimes make us more overlooked, not less?And why does the quiet longing to be understood feel so universal?In this episode of Unmuted by Nola, we explore the deep human hunger to be seen — not for what we do, produce, or hold together, but for who we truly are beneath the roles.This episode digs into:• How childhood roles shape adult invisibility• The difference between being needed and being known• Why belonging is a psychological need, not a luxury• How the ache reveals itself in the quiet moments• What emotional visibility actually feels like• How internal clarity creates external belongingThis is a soft, reflective conversation for anyone who has ever wondered whether people know them — or just the version they perform.⸻Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

In this deeply honest fireside-style episode, Nola cracks open a quiet truth so many high-achieving, high-caring people carry but rarely name out loud:Why doesn’t it ever feel like we’ve done enough?From spiraling over 25 Christmas books and first-class Santa train tickets to shrinking in professional rooms with “more traditional” lawyers, Nola explores how internalized pressure — not outside expectations — can make even a full, beautiful life feel insufficient.She unpacks:​ how childhood conditioning ties our worth to usefulness​ why identity, culture, & comparison make “enough” feel impossible​ the myth that we all have the same 24 hours​ the fear behind wanting to give our kids magic​ the grief of limited capacity​ the truth that presence matters more than performanceThis episode isn’t a five-step fix — it’s a human moment. A confession. A mirror.A breath for anyone who keeps showing up with tenderness even when they’re tired.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re falling behind — or falling short — this conversation is the permission you didn’t know you needed.You’re not too much.You’re not behind.And you are already enough.🎵 Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

This week’s episode came out a little late — and honestly, that’s part of the story.I’m learning to let the world spin without me for a bit, to honor my capacity, and to tell the truth about what it feels like to love a life that’s beautiful, exhausting, and fuller than I ever imagined.This isn’t a breakdown.It’s a breather.I talk about lying awake wedged between my daughter and my post-surgery dog, longing for community but craving silence, feeling guilty for wanting a kid-free weekend, and realizing that so many of us carry our lives alone — even in rooms full of people.This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt stretched thin inside a life they’re grateful for…and wondered if they’re the only one.You’re not. And I’m okay — just human.🎧 Take a breath with me.Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

We love a good “starting Monday” fantasy, don’t we?A gallon of water, a new Peloton plan, a fresh dose of delusion. And by Friday? We’re already promising to start again next week.In this episode of Unmuted by Nola, I’m talking about The Restart Spiral — that endless cycle of hope, hustle, and “maybe next time.” We’ll laugh about the comedy of it all, dig into why we keep hitting reset, and get honest about what it really costs to start again (and again).Because maybe we’re not inconsistent — maybe we’re just alive.If you’re somewhere between self-discipline and self-compassion right now, this one’s for you.🎵 Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy BeatsSoundCloudCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library — youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

What if your dream doesn’t need your full time — just your full heart?Most of us keep waiting for the right time — for life to slow down, for the money to line up, for the stars to cooperate. But the truth is, the “right time” rarely comes.In this episode, I sit down with my sister Kara — my built-in business buddy and creative consultant — to talk about what it really looks like to build a dream in the middle of real life.We talk about:✨ Stealing time when there’s never enough✨ Redefining success when slow doesn’t mean stuck✨ The magic (and messiness) of sisterhood while chasing something of your ownIf you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late or too hard to start, this episode will remind you: the dream doesn’t need your perfection. It just needs your participation. 💜⸻🎵 Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

It’s 3 a.m., and the house is finally quiet — except for my thoughts.The dog’s sighing, my daughter’s asleep, and I’m lying here realizing the armor that used to protect me — the composure, the control, the calm — has started to pinch.This episode is about that moment when success stops feeling like peace.When the version of you that’s always been capable starts asking, “At what cost?”When the Armor Starts to Pinch is a late-night reflection on leadership, identity, and learning to show up with less performance and more presence.Nothing’s falling apart here — it’s just finally honest.———🎵 Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

What started as a Des Moines Performing Arts donor trip to New York turned into something much deeper.✨ Mojitos and music at Buena Vista Social Club💔 The ache of the 9/11 Memorial🎶 The breathtaking artistry of Ragtime🌉 A Brooklyn rain break and 20,000-step wander💪🏾 A Peloton miracle with Tunde OyeneyinThrough it all, one refrain echoed in me: it keeps happening. Unexpected grace. Open doors. Joy sneaking in through detours.This episode isn’t a recap — it’s about leadership, legacy, gratitude, and motherhood. It’s about what happens when you stop putting yourself on the back burner and start noticing how favor keeps showing up.🎶 Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

Season 2 of Unmuted by Nola is here — and we’re evolving. As I teased in the Season 1 finale with my sisters, this podcast won’t just be my reflections anymore. You’ll still get those, but now you’ll also hear conversations with guests I admire — people balancing life, work, leadership, and joy in their own way.To kick it off, I sat down with my friend Kat. She’s an accomplished attorney who made the leap from Big Law to social justice work — the kind of work that carries immense weight. But in the midst of fighting for justice, Kat has also learned to protect joy.We talk about:💥 The myth that advocates have to mute their joy💥 Joy as resistance in the middle of heavy work💥 Fashion and fitness as lifelines💥 Redefining health beyond shrinking your body💥 Why joy isn’t frivolous — it’s fuel for the work⚡️ Editing Note: This episode is unedited — likes, ums, and all. After two failed attempts that distorted my voice, I decided the most Unmuted thing I could do was give it to you raw. Sometimes, hitting publish is the boldest move you can make.🎶 Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

Every superhero has a lair. Ours just happens to be a group chat — and we call it the Bat Cave.In this extended episode — almost a full 60 minutes — I sit down with my sisters, my original built-in kitchen table, to let you eavesdrop on the daily FaceTime calls that hold us together. We talk about how the Bat Cave started, share our funniest “receipts,” and get real about the moments we’ve carried each other through postpartum meltdowns, parenting chaos, and those days when life just feels too heavy.This conversation is about more than sisterhood — it’s about finding your people, the ones who witness your life in real time and remind you that you’re not alone.Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

Balance isn’t a perfect day. Or even a perfect week. Sometimes it’s not even a perfect year.In this episode, I get real about what balance actually looks like in my life — as a mom, a lawyer, an executive, and a person who still wants to do big things. I talk about leaving work at 5:00 for daycare pickup, why that doesn’t make me less committed, and why we should stop apologizing for our non-negotiables — whether it’s daycare or Pilates.We dig into why balance feels so hard (spoiler: it’s not just you — the whole system is designed to make us feel like we’re failing) and even get into how first-thing-in-the-morning meetings hit differently for caregivers running half a marathon before 8:30 a.m.And finally, I share six words — Family. Work. Health. Creativity. Joy. Faith. — that I’m using to guide how I measure balance over a season, a year, and even a career.If you’ve ever gone to bed feeling like you “dropped every ball today,” this episode is your invitation to zoom out and start measuring your life by the whole picture — not the single day.🎶 Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

Some rooms were never built for us — but we still have to decide whether to speak up when the moment comes.In this episode, I talk about what it feels like to sit in that tension, how I decide when to use my voice, and why staying silent can sometimes feel like self-betrayal.It’s honest, a little chaotic (featuring a real-time kitchen/dog/toddler/pasta moment), and a reminder that your voice matters — even when it shakes.🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: • Why silence can feel safe — but isn’t always right • How I decide when to speak up or save my energy • A very real parenting story about chaos and finding your breath • Why making space for multiple perspectives matters more than ever🎶 Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

Sometimes faith isn’t loud. Sometimes it isn’t even articulate.Sometimes it’s just sitting in the quiet and remembering you’re not the one holding the whole world together.In this unedited and unpolished episode, I share the story behind my be still tattoo — why I got it after surviving one of the darkest seasons of my life, and why I’m clinging to it now as the world feels overwhelming again.Take a deep breath with me, pause for a moment, and remember: you don’t have to be perfect or strong for God to meet you. You just have to be still.🎵 Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

This week’s bonus episode isn’t about leadership or the workplace — it’s about my other full-time job: vacation planner.From coordinating safari-chic zoo outfits, to spiraling over San Diego vs. Anaheim hotels, to the Target runs, Amazon orders, and boutique splurges that somehow felt mandatory before we even left…the chaos was real.And then came the Harper mutiny — because of course my toddler in her dress era wasn’t going to let my perfectly curated Disneyland looks stand unchallenged. Cue the tears, the pleading, and me finally realizing: the outfits weren’t worth ruining the day.But then there’s the real payoff: Harper’s joy when she saw Mickey, and her little voice pointing at our family photos saying, “Mommy, Daddy, Harper…so happy.” That’s what makes it all worth it.So if you’re wondering whether to take the trip? My advice is simple: take it.⸻Music Credits:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

For years, I believed hustle culture when it told me exhaustion was proof of my worth. Law school guilt. Billable hour pressure. Pinterest-worthy parenting. That little voice whispering: “Don’t really unplug. Stay productive. Prove your dedication and loyalty.”But here’s the truth: I was enough all along. And so are you.In this episode, I read my official break-up letter to hustle culture and reflect on how busyness became our badge of honor — and how that badge is costing us our health, our joy, and our presence. I share what it’s like to overdo it, to carry invisible struggles, and to finally choose rest as rebellion.Because you don’t have to hustle for your worth. You already are enough. And when you believe that? You give yourself permission to stay loud enough to hear yourself, soft enough to feel it all — but most of all, to stay unmuted.Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

Making friends as an adult feels…complicated. Gone are the days of “wanna play?” on the playground. Now it looks more like drafting Facebook DMs with ChatGPT, holding on to old friendships across different life stages, or craving the kind of casual community your grandma had — where people just dropped by for coffee and donuts before church.In this episode, Nola gets candid about what friendship looks like when you’re a team of one at work, when being seen as “leadership” adds a wall you didn’t ask for, and when life’s logistics mean even your closest friends are knee deep in glitter at the dance studio and on soccer fields instead of at your kitchen table.From daycare mom outreach to a 521-day Snapchat streak, from IF:Table to potty-training playdates, this episode is about the awkward, humbling, and absolutely necessary work of building adult friendships.Stay tuned to the end — because this conversation sets the stage for what’s next on Unmuted: deeper connections, maybe even a few new voices joining the mic.⸻Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

“Motherhood isn’t a rebrand” is just the starting point. In this episode, I dive into why we should stop making someone’s “no” for them — whether they’re a parent, a caregiver, or in a completely different season of life.You’ll hear the story of a friend passed over for a leadership opportunity because someone assumed she couldn’t handle it — despite her track record. We’ll unpack how those protective assumptions happen in both directions, why asking matters more than we think, and how boundaries and ambition can co-exist.Because when we stop assuming and start asking, we make room for people to surprise us — and sometimes even surprise themselves.Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

When you’re the default adult in every space — at home, at work, in your family — there’s no “escalation path” for the overwhelm. It all lands on you.In this episode of Unmuted by Nola, I’m talking about the emotional and logistical weight of being “the one” everyone depends on, the quiet toll it takes, and what softening looks like when you’re maxed out. From potty training negotiations to wasp removal chaos, this one’s equal parts humor, honesty, and a gentle reminder that you’re not broken — you’re just carrying a lot.If you’ve ever stared at your calendar, your toddler, or your inbox and thought, “I can’t keep doing this like this,” this one’s for you.🎶 Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: Audio LibraryMusic promoted by Audio Library on YouTube

People always ask me what Harvard Law was like. And I usually offer some polished version — say it was great, just not really my scene. That I’m not an East Coast person. But that’s not the whole truth. And until now, I’ve never really told it. In this episode, I open up about what it was actually like to survive one of the most elite institutions in the world — while grieving, unraveling, and trying to hold onto my sense of self. I didn’t thrive. I endured. There were people who looked like me. But no one like me. And I was too afraid to admit how much I was struggling — until now. If you’ve ever felt like your achievement came at the cost of your emotional survival — this one’s for you. 🎵 Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beats https://soundcloud.com/snoozybeats Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibes Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

What starts as a sweet daycare story between two toddler besties turns into a deeper reflection on why representation still matters—at every age.In this episode, I share the quiet beauty of watching Harper form a friendship rooted in shared knowing, and I open up about my own friendships that have held me through grief, motherhood, and everything in between. We explore the difference between being loved and being understood, and why celebrating difference is not divisive—it’s necessary.🎶 Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: Audio LibraryMusic promoted by Audio Library on YouTube

What happens when the world only sees your strength — and never your softness? In this episode of Unmuted by Nola, I’m reflecting on the quiet burden of being “the strong one.” I talk about where I learned it, how it nearly cost me my health, and the emotional toll it still takes in motherhood, leadership, and love. From law firm breakdowns to toddler meltdowns, I unpack what it means to hold it all together — and what I’m still learning about asking for help, letting the cracks show, and protecting my softness in a world that keeps asking for more. Because being strong shouldn’t mean being alone. 🎵 Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibes

In this episode of Unmuted by Nola, we’re unlearning the myth that being “low maintenance” makes us more lovable, more promotable, or more worthy. From middle child peacekeeping to workplace professionalism to romantic relationships where silence became a survival skill, Nola explores how shrinking ourselves—emotionally, energetically, and spiritually—can feel like safety but becomes erasure. She shares the one space where she finally gave herself permission to be a little extra (hint: it’s her birthday), and how reclaiming voice, needs, and visibility is a lifelong act of unmuting.🎵 Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibes

The Civil Rights Act was signed 61 years ago.It promised change.It offered keys.But a key is not the same as a welcome.And a hallway is not the same as a seat at the table.This isn’t a history lesson.It’s a personal one.About doors that stay closed.About merit that still isn’t enough.About the myth that hard work alone can carry you through.I wasn’t planning to speak this week.But silence started to feel like complicity.So here’s a short offering —A moment of truth in the middle of a holiday.Because the door may be unlocked…But it’s still not open.⸻🎶 Music Credit:Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beatshttps://soundcloud.com/snoozybeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibesMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

What does it really mean to own your voice?In this episode, I share the quiet moment that followed a big keynote — a moment that didn’t happen on a stage, but in a text to my toddler’s teacher. It was about Harper’s hair. Her beads. Her boundaries. And the cultural nuance that often goes unspoken.This isn’t just about protecting one child. It’s about raising awareness, deepening understanding, and creating a world where all kids — especially Black girls — are taught that their body and their beauty are not public property.Because when we speak with care and clarity, we don’t just protect our space — we make more room for others to thrive in theirs.Music credits: Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beats https://soundcloud.com/snoozybeats Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibes Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

I didn’t lose my voice all at once.It happened slowly—piece by piece.In this first episode of Unmuted by Nola, I share the quiet unraveling that started long before I ever had a title, a platform, or a podcast. From being called a know-it-all as a kid to shrinking in professional spaces where I once felt powerful, this is the origin story of how I started muting myself—and how I’m finding my way back.If you’ve ever dimmed your light to survive or made yourself small to stay safe… you’re not alone.This is where the journey begins.Music cred: Tuesday Vibes by Snoozy Beats https://soundcloud.com/snoozybeats Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/snoozybeats/tuesday-vibes Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/Gd5msntuOng

This isn’t Episode 1 — it’s the moment I stopped muting myself.Welcome to Unmuted by Nola — a podcast for the layered, the honest, and the bold.From leadership to motherhood to the spaces where we shrink to survive, we’re naming it all — out loud.