A Conversation With AC

2025 still isn't done cleaning house & the podcast got caught in the sweep! If I've learned anything this year it's honoring how you feel, being honest, and not being afraid to let go. With that said, this is the final episode of Pushed to Start (at least for now). Thank you so much for supporting me especially throughout my inconsistency. Until we meet again friends, take care of yourselves.

Mushroom coffee, micro-divorces, and lots of tequila! To say the last month and a half has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. But rev your engines because we're back babes! In this brief check in I'll get you up to speed on all that's taken place during this brief hiatus, detail all the thought behind my birthday photoshoot, and introduce a series I started over on the clock app -- "The Mirror." (we'll get back to Part 2 of "The Starting Over Season" soon, too) No sources for this episode, all straight from the dome.

So you’re starting to see signs that a quantum leap is on the horizon, exciting right? Probably not when that sign looks like things falling apart. It can feel so unexpected and honestly just flatout unfair. You realize out of nowhere you’re being forced to start over and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Well, what does it look like to welcome it and all it’s possibilities? I’ve broken it down into 2 steps. We’ll explore the first in this episode — Disciplining the Ego.Resources for this episode: MEDIUM| How to Let Go of Your Ego: Discipline is Freedom is Flowhttps://kevinzhensei.medium.com/how-to-let-go-of-your-ego-discipline-is-freedom-is-flow-a6fbec969edf LUKIN CENTER | Controlling Your Ego: 5 Powerful Benefits of a Humble Mindsethttps://www.lukincenter.com/controlling-your-ego-5-powerful-benefits-of-a-humble-mindset/#:~:text=Those%20with%20an%20inflated%20ego,elements%20of%20transparency%20and%20trust LINKEDIN | The Art of Letting Go: How to Deal with Your Ego to Achieve Success?https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/art-letting-go-how-deal-your-ego-achieve/MEL ROBBINS, “THE LET THEM THEORY”https://www.melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/ 

Focus 1: The Unexpected Quantum Leap.Part 2: Exorcising ApathyIn Part 2, the last part of focus on the Unexpected Quantum Leaping we’re talking about the emotion of it all. While it seems very attractive in a world full of negative emotions, we’ll explore why apathy may not be the defense you think it is. Sources linked below. Quora | What's wrong with being apathetic?https://www.quora.com/Whats-wrong-with-being-apatheticBerkeley Wellbeing | List of Emotionshttps://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/list-of-emotions.html#:~:text=List%20of%20Emotions:%20271%20Emotion,The%20Berkeley%20Well%2DBeing%20Institute Apathy is a valid response to a world that demands everyone to be care dispensers.https://www.reddit.com/r/DeepThoughts/comments/yzf26x/apathy_is_a_valid_response_to_a_world_that/ Science Direct | Apathy Case Studyhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022395624000852#:~:text=However%2C%20the%20knowledge%20of%20the,the%20alteration%20of%20specific%20mechanisms News Medical Life Sciences | What is Apathy and Why Does it Occur? https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Apathy-and-Why-Does-it-Occur.aspx#:~:text=Apathy%20is%20different%20from%20a,itself%20is%20not%20intrinsically%20reduced“Mad” - Solange Knowleshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTqNemB6mio&list=RDBTqNemB6mio&start_radio=1&pp=ygULU09MQU5HRSBNQUSgBwE%3D 

Focus 1: The Unexpected Quantum Leap. Part 1: Acceptance.Sources Referenced: Forbes on Quantum Leaps - https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2023/06/06/quantum-leap-101/Abasto on Spiritual Quantum Leaps - https://abasto.com/en/advice/spiritual-quantum-leap/Medium on Spiritual Quantum Leaps - https://bevin-niemann-cortez.medium.com/when-you-experience-a-quantum-leap-27441b9532ed Mel Robbins' The Let Them Theory - https://www.melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/

No one loves a rebrand more than a 30-something hyper self-aware millennial who's just been thrown a huge ass curveball. As I bid farewell to "A Conversation with AC", I welcome you to our new journey together. "Push(ed) to Start" holds a lot of meaning. You know that intimidating big red button you're too afraid to touch? You know the sound your engine makes when you push that ignition? You know that time you got desperate & told God to do the work for you because you didn't have the courage to do it yourself? We avoid starting because starting is full of uncomfortable truths about ourselves & our choices. This is what happens when there's no time left for our avoidance. This is what happens when you get pushed to start.

In this month’s check in we’ll continue on our journey to overpower overthinking. What is the story you assign to yourself? We’ll also talk Ozempic, Black Nepotism, Meg thee Hot Girl Coach, the “hard” in relationships, and Alzheimer’s. Welcome July! Act right!

It’s been a while! On this episode I return from a brief hiatus with major updates about the pod’s future. We’ll talk about the problem I have with hip hop concerts and why I should be on tour with Meg Thee Stallion. On a serious note, we’ll talk about navigating grief and the journey to overcome overthinking. Books I’m reading — “Stop Overthinking” https://a.co/ftbCFwB / “The Uncommon Coach” https://a.co/eW8pYMG

Issa minisode! All thoughts, no substance. Why is twerking so hard when I have all the equipment? Am I a stan? Or am I Joan Clayton? Because that would be scary. I used to despise male audacity but now I’m inspired? Dear God, there’s a lot of question marks please send some exclamation points! Oh, there’s one that’s a start.

Is this a bit of a rant? Absolutely, but let’s get real about all the news surrounding Diddy and how Twitter troll influence has real life consequences. AND IF YOU THOUGHT WE WEREN’T GOING TO TALK ABOUT COWBOY CARTER, HONEY YOU WERE WRONG! 🐎

Have you ever considered being an influencer? Let’s be honest, I’m sure we all have at least once. On this week’s episode we’ll have a conversation about the upside, the downside, and contemplate a QTNA — Do we know too much about each other? Plus, where in the world is Princess Kate?! Plus Plus, A Conversation moves to Sundays!

Is the Jack of All Trades Era officially over? I definitely think so and I’ll break down why your weaknesses aren’t as bad as you think they are. Step into your Expert Era! P.S. I may or may not have had a hard time spelling strengths in the making of this episode.

S1E2 | Do you ever wonder what advice your late loved ones would give you? Have you ever thought to ask them? We’re halfway through Black History Month and while we reflect on all the accomplishments of the Black community, maybe we can reflect on the legends within the community we call “family.”

S1E1 | Do you consider yourself a risk taker? When you have the degree, the job, the home, the clothes, risks don’t seem necessary because you’re living the good life already. But… what if life is meant to be better than good and all it takes is changing some things up? #ACPod