1 00:00:01,400 --> 00:00:04,240 Speaker 1: On this week's episode of Cultivating her Space. 2 00:00:04,760 --> 00:00:07,560 Speaker 2: You can't pour from an empty cup, So how do 3 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:10,959 Speaker 2: we create the things we're creating and give what we're 4 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:15,360 Speaker 2: giving if we're not nurturing and giving ourselves what we need? 5 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:16,160 Speaker 3: First? 6 00:00:18,160 --> 00:00:21,439 Speaker 4: Hey, lady, have you ever felt like the world just 7 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:25,159 Speaker 4: doesn't get you? Well we do. 8 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: Welcome to Cultivating her Space, the podcast dedicated to uplifting 9 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: and empowering women like you. 10 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:38,840 Speaker 4: We're your hosts, Doctor Dominique Brussard and educator and psychologists. 11 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:40,919 Speaker 1: And Terry Lomax, a techie and transformational speaker. 12 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:46,280 Speaker 4: Join us every week for authentic conversations about everything from 13 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 4: fibroids to fake friends. As we create space for black 14 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 4: women to just be. 15 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: Before we dive in, make sure you hit that follow 16 00:00:56,720 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 1: button and leave us a quick five star review. Lady, 17 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:02,600 Speaker 1: We are black founded and black owned, and your support 18 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:04,720 Speaker 1: will help us reach even more women like you. 19 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 4: Now, let's get into this week's episode of Cultivating her Space. 20 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 5: It's doctor dom here from the Cultivating her Space podcast. 21 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 5: Are you currently a resident of the state of California 22 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:25,040 Speaker 5: and contemplating starting your therapy journey? Well, if so, please 23 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 5: reach out to me at doctor Dominique Brusard dot com. 24 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 5: That's d R D O M I N I q 25 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:39,919 Speaker 5: U E b r O U ss ar D dot 26 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 5: com to schedule a free fifteen minute consultation. I look 27 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:46,000 Speaker 5: forward to hearing from you. 28 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 3: Okay, listen, lady. 29 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 1: Normally we're calm, cool and collected over here. But today's guest, 30 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:56,400 Speaker 1: oooh child, you might just hear us break out into 31 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 1: the ABC's or the phonics song. 32 00:01:58,240 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 3: Okay, so bear with us. 33 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 1: You are about to hear from the brilliant doctor Arlene Collingsworth. 34 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 1: She's a licensed clinical psychologist with nearly twenty years of 35 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 1: experience in children's mental health and the co founder of 36 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 1: the viral sensation We All Love Gracie's Corner. Alongside her 37 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 1: husband Divorce and their daughter Gracelynd. They launched this groundbreaking 38 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 1: project to address the lack of diverse representation in children's edutainment. 39 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:29,040 Speaker 1: Since its creation during the pandemic in twenty twenty, Gracie's 40 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 1: Corner has grown into a viral phenomenon, amassing billions of 41 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 1: views worldwide. In addition to her work with Gracie's Corner, 42 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:41,840 Speaker 1: doctor Arlene serves as the director of two private practices 43 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 1: and has previously held academic roles as an assistant professor 44 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 1: at Texas Southern University and Baylor College of Medicine. She 45 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 1: remains actively involved in the Houston community, volunteering her time 46 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:57,880 Speaker 1: with local organizations, and Doctor Arlene's passion for creating inclusive, 47 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:02,320 Speaker 1: uplifting content for families continues to drive her work as 48 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 1: a clinician, educator, and creative partner. Doctor Arlene, welcome to 49 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:08,840 Speaker 1: cultivating her space. 50 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:11,720 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to 51 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 2: be here. 52 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 3: We are so excited to have you. 53 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:18,680 Speaker 4: Yes, we are definitely looking forward to this conversation. And 54 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 4: so we will move next to our quote of the day, 55 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 4: which will sound familiar to you because it's one of 56 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:33,720 Speaker 4: the affirmations from one of my personal favorite of Gracie's songs. 57 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 4: Our quote of the day, don't you know that you 58 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 4: are special? And I'm gonna say that one more time 59 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:47,400 Speaker 4: for the folks in the back. Don't you know that 60 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 4: you are special? Doctor Arlene. When you hear that quote 61 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 4: and you know what song it comes from, and you 62 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 4: think about what all goes in to the lyrics of 63 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 4: the songs that you and your husband co write, what 64 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 4: comes up for you with. 65 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 2: This particular lyric intentional. I think one of the most 66 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:16,919 Speaker 2: important things that we intentionally did, and it's something we 67 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:20,480 Speaker 2: do as parents to is try our best to affirm 68 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 2: and give positive attention and praise to our children. They 69 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:27,240 Speaker 2: can't get enough. And I think it's important for people 70 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 2: to be able to do that for themselves, you know. 71 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 2: And so the song kind of says you are special, 72 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:35,039 Speaker 2: regardless of who you are, what you look like, where 73 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:37,400 Speaker 2: you come from, which your hair looks like the color 74 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:40,360 Speaker 2: of your skin, you're specially, you're beautiful, you're wonderful, You're 75 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 2: made perfectly just the way you are, and so and 76 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 2: intentionally making sure kids sing a song where they are 77 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:51,520 Speaker 2: saying back to themselves. 78 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:54,920 Speaker 3: That is so powerful and so beautiful. 79 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:57,039 Speaker 1: And we have so many questions for you, or couldn't 80 00:04:57,080 --> 00:04:58,680 Speaker 1: it ask about your origin story and all that kind 81 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:00,280 Speaker 1: of stuff, But can you just take us back back 82 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 1: to twenty twenty when you and your husband are at 83 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 1: home right working from home, raising your. 84 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 3: Three beautiful little people, is I like to call the kiddos. 85 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:11,720 Speaker 1: And realizing that there is not content that's a representative 86 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:14,279 Speaker 1: of your children, Can you just paint that picture that 87 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 1: moment for us where the idea was sparked to create 88 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 1: Gracie's Corner. And what were those first few steps emotionally 89 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 1: and creatively for you all. 90 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, So during quarantine during COVID hoa to COVID, when 91 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:32,200 Speaker 2: everyone had to stay home, Unfortunately, we still had to work. 92 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:36,040 Speaker 2: Students at the time, I was a professor at Texas 93 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 2: Southern University, students still had to be taught online. We're 94 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:44,440 Speaker 2: doing everything virtually. On top of that, my daughter still 95 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:49,040 Speaker 2: had to take classes virtually. My husband was a professor 96 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:53,040 Speaker 2: assistant professor at the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, Texas. 97 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:55,600 Speaker 2: So we're sitting here working and I was still seeing patients, 98 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 2: and so I had patients, and of course during the pandemic, 99 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:03,159 Speaker 2: anxiety was heightened and so I had a lot more 100 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:07,120 Speaker 2: patients that needed care. So all this was happening, and 101 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 2: I also had two very small children. One was two, 102 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 2: the other one was nine months around that time, and 103 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:17,919 Speaker 2: because we had to work, Gracie had to go to school. 104 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 2: We had to entertain them. And it's crazy because you know, 105 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:24,919 Speaker 2: in the very early phases of being a parent. I 106 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 2: say early phases because I've learned, like now, sometimes you 107 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:30,920 Speaker 2: gotta do what you gotta do. I'd never imagined I'd 108 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 2: be putting so much screen time in front of my children, 109 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:38,360 Speaker 2: but it was required. And so at the time, we 110 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 2: were finding things we could put them in front of 111 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 2: that were educational. It was important for them to have 112 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:46,480 Speaker 2: learning videos and it had to be for their age range, because, 113 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 2: like I said, they were like preschool pre you know, 114 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:53,600 Speaker 2: infant ish age, and needed stuff they can look at 115 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 2: that we felt could be beneficial and teach them. And 116 00:06:57,680 --> 00:07:01,000 Speaker 2: we ended up seeing that the characters did not look 117 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:04,719 Speaker 2: like our children, and my husband, Javories, was the first 118 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:07,240 Speaker 2: one that said something like, I don't like that. I 119 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:10,160 Speaker 2: don't like how none of the characters look like them. 120 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 2: It's important that they're able to see themself. And so 121 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:18,040 Speaker 2: he said that and I heard him, but I didn't 122 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:22,920 Speaker 2: realize how serious he was about it. I agreed, but 123 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 2: it wasn't until I saw him later that evening doing 124 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 2: research and I was like, oh, he's serious when he 125 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 2: says we need to do something about it. I don't 126 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 2: like it. And so a little background on him. He 127 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 2: is an organic chemist and so he has a PhD, 128 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 2: actually had two majors. When he get his PhD. Macromolecular 129 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:47,440 Speaker 2: chemistry and organic chemistry, so very I call him a 130 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 2: brainiac because everyone knows, like I thought that organic chemistry 131 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:53,520 Speaker 2: was a very difficult class for me. So the fact 132 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:57,680 Speaker 2: that that's what he does, that's what he loves, is crazy. 133 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:02,640 Speaker 2: But I think that science is exactly why he was 134 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 2: able to do research to figure out how to make 135 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:11,720 Speaker 2: something like Gracie's Corner. Because most people would look at 136 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 2: something like that and assume it takes a lot of money, 137 00:08:17,240 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 2: you have to actually build an animation studio and don't know, Hey, 138 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 2: you can start off by doing research, finding what the 139 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 2: components are, and that's exactly what he did. Found out 140 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:32,480 Speaker 2: how to what equipment he needed to record the music, 141 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:40,320 Speaker 2: found out how to find freelance animators. So yeah, that 142 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 2: was the start of Gracie's Corner. Wow. 143 00:08:43,720 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 4: Okay, so we have one half your husband who has 144 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 4: this training in this science background, right, but we're also 145 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 4: not gonna I mean your background is amazing as well, right, 146 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:06,760 Speaker 4: husband is great. 147 00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 2: And also you. 148 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:13,440 Speaker 4: Are a licensed clinical psychologist with a background in children's 149 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:20,200 Speaker 4: mental health. Yeah, and so how did your background come 150 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:26,240 Speaker 4: into play once you all decided to start creating this content. 151 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:30,520 Speaker 2: I think you know we actually are about to celebrate 152 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:36,120 Speaker 2: our fifteen year anniversary actually in ten days, so like 153 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:39,080 Speaker 2: I guess that would be like June twelfth, but coming 154 00:09:39,160 --> 00:09:43,079 Speaker 2: up soon. And so he's been with me long enough 155 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:45,199 Speaker 2: to know how I think. And I think that was 156 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 2: a big part of it because there were things he 157 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:51,880 Speaker 2: knew were important to incorporate. I didn't necessarily have to 158 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:55,679 Speaker 2: say because he's heard me say it's important to speak 159 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:59,599 Speaker 2: positive words. It's okay, it's important to reinforce your children. 160 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:03,360 Speaker 2: And you know, unfortunately we as black and brown people, 161 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 2: because we know how hard it is in society, we 162 00:10:07,480 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 2: do really put a lot of energy on making sure 163 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 2: they're the best they are. There's a lot of correction, 164 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:17,960 Speaker 2: and I think it comes from a good place, and 165 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 2: it's important for us to remember, like we have to 166 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:23,480 Speaker 2: make sure there's a lot of positive or reinforcement. We 167 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 2: have to speak a lot of positive words, you know, 168 00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 2: And I think sometimes are and I'm speaking as myself, 169 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:33,520 Speaker 2: my anxiety as a parent sometimes knowing that they have 170 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:37,240 Speaker 2: to work harder, be better a lot of times will 171 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 2: make me sometimes just like oh, you know, fix this, 172 00:10:39,880 --> 00:10:42,480 Speaker 2: do this, do that. And I've had to be intentional 173 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:46,440 Speaker 2: about saying, Okay, you're doing a great job, Gracie. I 174 00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:48,959 Speaker 2: love this. I love that even though I still correct 175 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:51,839 Speaker 2: her and correct my other children in different areas. So 176 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 2: he knew from the very beginning. Okay, we know we 177 00:10:54,559 --> 00:10:57,000 Speaker 2: have to speak affirmations. We know a lot of self 178 00:10:57,040 --> 00:11:00,560 Speaker 2: love has to go in there. We also know a 179 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 2: lot of early developmental things have to go in there. 180 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 2: I'm big on and everyone learns. Different children learn different. 181 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:14,280 Speaker 2: For some children, repetition isn't necessary, but our content can 182 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 2: be really helpful for young children that do benefit from repetition. 183 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 2: And so we've had several parents reach out that have 184 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:26,200 Speaker 2: children that maybe have language delays that say, wow, this 185 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 2: actually was one of the only things that helped my 186 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:32,560 Speaker 2: child learn how to say their ABC's or to count. 187 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:34,840 Speaker 2: And so I think that was my way of saying, 188 00:11:34,880 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 2: he knew me long enough to note important concepts. But 189 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:40,560 Speaker 2: also I definitely voice those things to him. And so 190 00:11:40,720 --> 00:11:43,520 Speaker 2: I do play a big role in a lot of 191 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:46,880 Speaker 2: things that you'll see on the channel, like, for instance, 192 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 2: we have a deep breathing song that actually speaks to 193 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 2: diaframatic breathing, and anyone that hears it knows like, Okay, 194 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:57,240 Speaker 2: I know for a fact Arlene played a role in 195 00:11:57,320 --> 00:12:01,199 Speaker 2: saying the steps to that as well as there's one 196 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 2: the Be Brave song that actually I was trying to 197 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:08,040 Speaker 2: speak to like a gradual exposure to something that you're 198 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 2: fearful of. And so you'll see definitely sprinkles of the 199 00:12:12,040 --> 00:12:15,800 Speaker 2: psychology hat in there for sure. But I think because 200 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 2: we're both we were both at one point and still 201 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:23,280 Speaker 2: are in a sense educators, and you know, we do 202 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:26,840 Speaker 2: have this background where we work, we try to do research. 203 00:12:27,559 --> 00:12:30,800 Speaker 2: I think we still are very intentional and do a 204 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 2: lot of research to understand what content is important to 205 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:35,760 Speaker 2: put out there. 206 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:41,440 Speaker 1: That's so amazing, what a transformative trio. You all are 207 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:44,199 Speaker 1: just thinking about how you are leveraging your different strengths 208 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:47,280 Speaker 1: for this incredible project. And I know our community is 209 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:48,800 Speaker 1: just so grateful for the work that you all are 210 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 1: doing so that we can see ourselves. I find myself 211 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:53,640 Speaker 1: singing the songs when my daughter's not around. I'm just like, wait, 212 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 1: it must have She's not even here and I'm jamming 213 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 1: to the music. So I want to ask you, what 214 00:12:57,720 --> 00:13:01,559 Speaker 1: is one thing about creating Corner that no one sees 215 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 1: but that takes the most heart and effort behind the scenes. 216 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:11,840 Speaker 2: So Gracie is a child, She's a child first. I'm 217 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:14,680 Speaker 2: her mom first. Javorius is her dad first. With that 218 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 2: being said, anyone that has been around children, Auntie, mommy, grandma, 219 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:25,319 Speaker 2: children are going to be children, and children aren't always 220 00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 2: going to want to record. They're not always going to 221 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:32,000 Speaker 2: want to sing. And so that's Gracie sometimes, you know. 222 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:34,800 Speaker 2: And one of the things, and I know we may 223 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:37,680 Speaker 2: talk about this later, has always been to make sure 224 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:41,160 Speaker 2: she's okay, she's good, she wants to do this, but 225 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:43,079 Speaker 2: she's going to have her off days. She's going to 226 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:46,280 Speaker 2: have her days where she doesn't feel good, you know, 227 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:49,840 Speaker 2: where maybe because what's singing. Sometimes if your voice is 228 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 2: and anyone that's to sing her knows if you may 229 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:53,679 Speaker 2: have a day where your voice is off. It could 230 00:13:53,720 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 2: be because of allergies, it could be because you were 231 00:13:57,240 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 2: screaming at the TV yesterday. And so we just have 232 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:03,160 Speaker 2: to be mindful, like there's gonna be days where we 233 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 2: want to record and we can't record, and that's okay, 234 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:11,520 Speaker 2: And so you know, unfortunately, you'll have some people that 235 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 2: will say, well, why can't you crank out ten songs 236 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:18,679 Speaker 2: a month? Because it's a real little girl involved. And 237 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:22,240 Speaker 2: there's also a creative process too. Every song is an 238 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:25,320 Speaker 2: original song for them. Well we have well not every song, 239 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:28,080 Speaker 2: but every song has an original spin, I should say, 240 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:31,600 Speaker 2: because even when we use nursery rhymes, we put our spin. 241 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 2: But we also do original songs. And with that being said, 242 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:41,000 Speaker 2: there's a lot of creative energy that goes into the 243 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,880 Speaker 2: development of each song. So it's not something where you 244 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:48,960 Speaker 2: can just snap your fingers and wilaw you have ten songs. 245 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:53,240 Speaker 2: Like any other artist, it takes time to create, you know, 246 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 2: a song that you feel you want to pet on. 247 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 2: And there's been times we've made things and we're not 248 00:14:57,840 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 2: fans of it and it sits on the shelf, be honest, 249 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 2: you know, because we're really mindful of it. So I 250 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 2: will say that's what people don't see. People don't see 251 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 2: that at the end of it, we're still a family. 252 00:15:08,120 --> 00:15:11,560 Speaker 2: We're not a big corporation with hundreds of people working 253 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:16,760 Speaker 2: for Gracie's corner. Gracie is the voice of Gracie. She 254 00:15:17,120 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 2: sings every single song. As she's getting older, you hear 255 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 2: how her voice is changing, but it's still her. We 256 00:15:24,640 --> 00:15:28,320 Speaker 2: don't have anyone else that's come in to see those parts. 257 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:30,720 Speaker 2: Every now and then you may hear like a feature 258 00:15:30,760 --> 00:15:34,680 Speaker 2: from her little brother or her little sister, or sometimes 259 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 2: I'll have like a hahaha part or something like that. 260 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:40,680 Speaker 2: But because it's her, and because it's us and we're 261 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:44,920 Speaker 2: a small team, you know, we aren't able to necessarily 262 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:48,280 Speaker 2: push things out really fast like that, and we don't 263 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:51,320 Speaker 2: want to because for us, we want to stay true 264 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:55,600 Speaker 2: to our core and there's a certain quality we want 265 00:15:55,760 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 2: everything to have. 266 00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:04,760 Speaker 4: I appreciate earlier you use the word intentionality, and as 267 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 4: you explain this process, like I hear the intentionality behind it. 268 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 4: And so I want us to back up a little 269 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:17,560 Speaker 4: bit because one of the other things that you mentioned 270 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 4: in your answer is that you all at the core, 271 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:25,480 Speaker 4: you all are our family and you and so that 272 00:16:25,560 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 4: means you are real people doing this work and creating 273 00:16:30,880 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 4: this amazing content. But let's let's back, let's back all 274 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:42,000 Speaker 4: the way up. Who are you and doctor Arlene? What 275 00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:46,240 Speaker 4: is your origin story? How did you get to this point? 276 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 4: Because we started with the pandemic and the creation of 277 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:55,680 Speaker 4: Gracie's Corner, but we also mentioned that you're an educator, 278 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 4: a mom, a wife, all of these things before Gracie's 279 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 4: co owner came to be, and so tell us how 280 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:05,480 Speaker 4: you got to this point. 281 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 2: You know, from an early age, the psychologist's part was 282 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:12,240 Speaker 2: something that happened early age. I think I would watch 283 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:14,920 Speaker 2: TV shows and back then they used to call them shrinks. 284 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:17,159 Speaker 2: I'm like, oh, I would see what they were doing, 285 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:20,919 Speaker 2: and I'm like, that looks pretty cool. Didn't know how 286 00:17:21,760 --> 00:17:26,719 Speaker 2: rewarding but complicated being a psychologist is. I wouldn't trade 287 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:32,320 Speaker 2: my profession for anything. I love helping people, but from 288 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 2: early age I knew that was the goal. My journey 289 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:40,199 Speaker 2: didn't look like everyone else's journey because it took some 290 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:43,760 Speaker 2: time for me to get there. I wasn't someone, you know, 291 00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:46,840 Speaker 2: just kind of backing up, you know, I had a 292 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:51,200 Speaker 2: family where my parents were divorced. I was being raised 293 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:53,879 Speaker 2: by my mother. My father was in my life, but 294 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:58,159 Speaker 2: with that being said, she worked like three jobs, and 295 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:00,440 Speaker 2: so it was one of those things where I didn't 296 00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:04,320 Speaker 2: really have people to really necessarily helped me with homework 297 00:18:05,119 --> 00:18:07,959 Speaker 2: when I was in school, and so I remember in 298 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 2: high school it was probably honestly like my last semester 299 00:18:14,080 --> 00:18:17,000 Speaker 2: and a counselor was like, what are you doing after graduation? 300 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:21,359 Speaker 2: And The crazy thing is I hadn't really thought about it, 301 00:18:21,440 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 2: like you only have a semester left. I hadn't applied 302 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:28,639 Speaker 2: to any colleges. That's the crazy part. So when you 303 00:18:28,680 --> 00:18:31,320 Speaker 2: know that, and complete opposite of my husband. My husband 304 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 2: small rural town. He's actually one of the first individuals 305 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:38,800 Speaker 2: to go to college. The town that he's from has 306 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:42,960 Speaker 2: like less than two thousand people. It's in Georgia, and 307 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 2: from an early age, there were people coming to his 308 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:51,080 Speaker 2: community to teach children's stem and he kind of gravitated 309 00:18:51,640 --> 00:18:53,520 Speaker 2: towards it early on, and it was one of the 310 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 2: most I guess, if you look back, the most important 311 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:01,480 Speaker 2: thing that happened for him, because a lot of people 312 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 2: in his town don't graduate from high school, they don't 313 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:08,159 Speaker 2: go to college, you know, so he's like one of 314 00:19:08,160 --> 00:19:12,119 Speaker 2: those rarities. Me, on the other hand, I didn't. I 315 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 2: literally figured it out late in the game. And so 316 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:17,679 Speaker 2: because of that, I think I applied to like a 317 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:22,680 Speaker 2: couple of colleges, got into like one that's the one 318 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:25,960 Speaker 2: I went to. Maybe my first year. I was still 319 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 2: trying to get my footing side. 320 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:27,159 Speaker 5: You know. 321 00:19:27,160 --> 00:19:28,679 Speaker 2: I wanted to be a psychologist, but I didn't want 322 00:19:28,680 --> 00:19:30,800 Speaker 2: to get there because no one told me you have 323 00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:35,640 Speaker 2: to have fantastic grades, you have to have a high 324 00:19:35,680 --> 00:19:41,280 Speaker 2: GPA in undergrad And to be honest, what really helped 325 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:48,680 Speaker 2: was mentorship. I cannot emphasize how important mentorship is. Without mentorship, 326 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:51,560 Speaker 2: I would not be who I am. I am who 327 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:55,879 Speaker 2: I am because people mentored me, and my mentors were 328 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:59,600 Speaker 2: still living, and I'm so thankful. It was actually my 329 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:03,200 Speaker 2: a freshman year when I went to the University of 330 00:20:03,240 --> 00:20:07,560 Speaker 2: Houston for my undergraduate degree, and it was my freshman 331 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:12,400 Speaker 2: year and there was the African American studies professor who 332 00:20:12,840 --> 00:20:15,000 Speaker 2: for some reason gravitated towards me, and I was so 333 00:20:15,119 --> 00:20:17,480 Speaker 2: one serious. I was just like, Oh, what do you 334 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:19,439 Speaker 2: do with your life? I don't know. He was like, well, 335 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:21,439 Speaker 2: let me introduce you to a psycho, because I told 336 00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:23,920 Speaker 2: him I wanted to be a psychologist. And he was like, well, 337 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:27,639 Speaker 2: let me introduce you to a psychologist, and he did. 338 00:20:27,960 --> 00:20:32,399 Speaker 2: Her name is doctor Shiva Jenkins. She's a really phenomenal 339 00:20:32,440 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 2: psychologist in Houston. Introduced me to her. The rest is history. 340 00:20:37,119 --> 00:20:40,840 Speaker 2: She mentored me. And there was another psychologist, doctor Lisa 341 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:44,679 Speaker 2: jen Jennings mentored me. Without their mentorship, I would not 342 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:48,920 Speaker 2: have turned my grades around, ended up going from having 343 00:20:48,960 --> 00:20:51,240 Speaker 2: a GPA that was barely a three point zero my 344 00:20:51,320 --> 00:20:54,680 Speaker 2: first year in college to all of a sudden making 345 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:58,720 Speaker 2: all a's. And unfortunately that still wasn't enough to get 346 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:01,280 Speaker 2: me into that PhD. I had to go get a 347 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:05,680 Speaker 2: master's and prove myself. But I say all that because 348 00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:08,760 Speaker 2: I kind of speak to I think even the creation 349 00:21:08,920 --> 00:21:12,800 Speaker 2: of Gracie's Corner speaks to everything doesn't have to be 350 00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:19,920 Speaker 2: a straight line. Sometimes getting there is a journey with detours, 351 00:21:20,800 --> 00:21:24,920 Speaker 2: with turnarounds and all kinds of stuff, and then at 352 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:27,560 Speaker 2: some point get on that straight path. And that's what 353 00:21:27,640 --> 00:21:30,560 Speaker 2: it looked like me. But like with me becoming a psychologist, 354 00:21:30,560 --> 00:21:32,560 Speaker 2: even with Gracie's Corner, people are like, well, how did 355 00:21:32,560 --> 00:21:36,840 Speaker 2: you do this? Because you're sitting here getting nominated for 356 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 2: and winning in AACP Image Awards, You're getting nominated for Kids' 357 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:47,040 Speaker 2: Choice Awards. And we're not a big production company. We're family. 358 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:49,959 Speaker 2: We have hired a couple of employees, we have two 359 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:53,760 Speaker 2: full time employees. We're a small, growing company. It's funny 360 00:21:53,800 --> 00:21:58,960 Speaker 2: that this family started venture is now considered I guess 361 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:04,640 Speaker 2: a animation company, production company, But that's what it is, 362 00:22:04,880 --> 00:22:08,399 Speaker 2: but everything doesn't have to be this straight path and 363 00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:12,360 Speaker 2: mentorship is how I became who I was. I ended up, 364 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:17,320 Speaker 2: after three times trying to get into clinical psych PhD program, 365 00:22:17,359 --> 00:22:21,800 Speaker 2: I got into a program at LSU in Baton Rouge, 366 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:25,640 Speaker 2: and that was actually the program my husband actually ended 367 00:22:25,720 --> 00:22:29,159 Speaker 2: up getting into too. He went to a program in chemistry, 368 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:32,119 Speaker 2: and we were both starting our first year of our 369 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:35,520 Speaker 2: PhD programs at LSU. So it's funny how things work 370 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:38,960 Speaker 2: because never in my life, I never wanted to leave Texas, 371 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:43,480 Speaker 2: and I end up applying to this program because one 372 00:22:43,520 --> 00:22:46,280 Speaker 2: of my bosses at the time was like, hey, you 373 00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:49,080 Speaker 2: should apply here. I'm like, I don't want to leave Texas, 374 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:53,280 Speaker 2: but I'm not sure, end up applying, end up going there, 375 00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:57,800 Speaker 2: end up meeting divores, and so it's just this crazy 376 00:22:58,119 --> 00:23:00,520 Speaker 2: and another way to say, sometimes things work out the 377 00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:02,720 Speaker 2: way they're supposed to work out. You don't understand it. 378 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:05,760 Speaker 2: You're upset. Why did it take me three times to 379 00:23:05,760 --> 00:23:07,800 Speaker 2: get into a clinical program? Why did I get so 380 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:11,120 Speaker 2: many rejections? Because I was supposed to end up there. 381 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:14,840 Speaker 2: If I didn't end up Bear, there'd be no Gracie's Corner, 382 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:16,240 Speaker 2: it'd be no Gracy, So. 383 00:23:17,720 --> 00:23:22,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, full circle divine alignment is what I hear as well. 384 00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:26,199 Speaker 1: You said so much here one. Your story is so inspiring, 385 00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:28,399 Speaker 1: so I think sometimes we see people who are successful, 386 00:23:28,600 --> 00:23:31,040 Speaker 1: then you make assumptions about their journey and well, they 387 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:32,879 Speaker 1: must have had it easy. So thank you for pinging 388 00:23:32,880 --> 00:23:35,639 Speaker 1: that picture for us with your Orgin story and highlighting 389 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:39,920 Speaker 1: the fact that mentorship was so important. And I love 390 00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:41,840 Speaker 1: that you said everything doesn't have to be a straight line. 391 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:44,320 Speaker 1: I'm over here taking notes as you're sharing. But one 392 00:23:44,359 --> 00:23:46,199 Speaker 1: of the other things I'd love to dive into is 393 00:23:46,440 --> 00:23:48,440 Speaker 1: if we have a listener who's tuning in right now, 394 00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:51,000 Speaker 1: they have a quiet dream in their heart, what would 395 00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:54,359 Speaker 1: you say to them to take that next step toward 396 00:23:54,440 --> 00:23:58,720 Speaker 1: creating something meaningful when it doesn't seem like the path 397 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:00,720 Speaker 1: is well lit for them and they're just trying to 398 00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:02,560 Speaker 1: figure it out and then maybe they're discouraged and this 399 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:04,879 Speaker 1: is their third time creating, Like, what advice would you 400 00:24:04,920 --> 00:24:05,719 Speaker 1: give to that person? 401 00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:12,080 Speaker 2: I would say fear is a natural emotion, and I 402 00:24:12,119 --> 00:24:15,439 Speaker 2: feel like all great things you're going to have some 403 00:24:15,640 --> 00:24:21,520 Speaker 2: amount of anxiety uncertainty, and that can be hard to navigate. 404 00:24:21,880 --> 00:24:27,320 Speaker 2: It didn't seem like something for us. Initially, Graci's Corent 405 00:24:27,320 --> 00:24:29,520 Speaker 2: didn't seem like it would become what it became when 406 00:24:29,560 --> 00:24:32,000 Speaker 2: we first started. When I talk about fear and uncertainty, 407 00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:36,399 Speaker 2: fear and uncertainty is saying I have this idea. I 408 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:40,480 Speaker 2: think it's a great idea, and you start investing time, 409 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:46,480 Speaker 2: you start investing the money you do have, and initially 410 00:24:47,160 --> 00:24:50,439 Speaker 2: the only person looking at it is ten people. So 411 00:24:50,480 --> 00:24:52,960 Speaker 2: to start, we had like family members looking at it, 412 00:24:53,520 --> 00:24:58,560 Speaker 2: and we're like, Okay, we're sitting here spending money, working 413 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:04,200 Speaker 2: hard and investing money into this because animation is not free, 414 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:08,920 Speaker 2: and so we're spending time, we're spending money, and fear 415 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:11,960 Speaker 2: creeps in, doubt creeps in, and certainly creeps in, and 416 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:15,400 Speaker 2: you're saying, hey, is this going to work out? Are 417 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 2: we really doing something that is resonating with people? Because 418 00:25:19,520 --> 00:25:23,159 Speaker 2: we're only getting ten views. And it's funny because just 419 00:25:23,280 --> 00:25:27,159 Speaker 2: something told us keep going and it would slowly grow. 420 00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:31,360 Speaker 2: We'd go from ten to one hundred and then all 421 00:25:31,400 --> 00:25:34,520 Speaker 2: of a sudden like okay, that's okay, this is great, 422 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:39,040 Speaker 2: And to be honest, it was that one. The one 423 00:25:39,080 --> 00:25:42,080 Speaker 2: song that really put us on the map was actually 424 00:25:42,119 --> 00:25:46,400 Speaker 2: the Phonic song. Before the Phonic song, we were getting views, 425 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:51,280 Speaker 2: but that was truly when all of a sudden everyone 426 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:57,440 Speaker 2: started paying attention and we started getting a lot of views. 427 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:00,719 Speaker 2: And so I guess what I would tell that person 428 00:26:00,840 --> 00:26:05,800 Speaker 2: that's listening is you have a great idea. I know 429 00:26:05,880 --> 00:26:08,719 Speaker 2: there's some uncertainty. You're trying to figure out how to 430 00:26:08,720 --> 00:26:17,040 Speaker 2: make it happen. We didn't have millions. We worked hard 431 00:26:17,160 --> 00:26:20,160 Speaker 2: so to be transparent. We were both professors. We weren't 432 00:26:20,200 --> 00:26:23,200 Speaker 2: making we were at small over art colleges. We weren't 433 00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:27,880 Speaker 2: making tons of money, even though we had PhDs and 434 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:32,280 Speaker 2: we had three kids, and so that was difficult for us. 435 00:26:32,560 --> 00:26:35,479 Speaker 2: And in order to make Gracie's Corner happen, I had 436 00:26:35,480 --> 00:26:37,879 Speaker 2: to see a lot of patients. So private practice, my 437 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:40,480 Speaker 2: private practice was honestly the way we made it happen 438 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:44,920 Speaker 2: because I did a lot of evaluations. I saw I 439 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:49,600 Speaker 2: was working my job and teaching, that was my full 440 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:52,160 Speaker 2: time job, but I was still seeing twenty different, twenty 441 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:57,520 Speaker 2: five patients every week to try to make those videos happen. 442 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:01,480 Speaker 2: So I say, like that person, you don't have to 443 00:27:01,520 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 2: have a ton of money, but I'm not gonna lie 444 00:27:03,800 --> 00:27:07,840 Speaker 2: and say there's no investment. Unfortunately, you got to buy equipment, 445 00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:11,920 Speaker 2: but find ways where you can slowly build and get 446 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:15,000 Speaker 2: to that. And I would say those great ideas that 447 00:27:15,040 --> 00:27:17,560 Speaker 2: you keep dreaming about and thinking about, they're there for 448 00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:21,880 Speaker 2: a reason. They're there. Listen to it. You feel it's 449 00:27:21,880 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 2: an important thing because it is. There's that void. You 450 00:27:25,160 --> 00:27:28,399 Speaker 2: see it the same way we saw it, and a 451 00:27:28,440 --> 00:27:32,880 Speaker 2: lot of things they just need time and any patience 452 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:36,280 Speaker 2: because let me tell you, Gracie's Corner, we did not 453 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:39,919 Speaker 2: get monetized until like a year and a half and 454 00:27:39,960 --> 00:27:42,480 Speaker 2: that's a lot of videos we made and a lot 455 00:27:42,480 --> 00:27:45,280 Speaker 2: of time and energy. So it took time. And I 456 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:47,040 Speaker 2: think our first check was nineteen dollars. 457 00:27:47,119 --> 00:27:47,639 Speaker 1: I laughed. 458 00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:50,040 Speaker 2: I was like, oh, look at other things, so we 459 00:27:50,119 --> 00:27:56,440 Speaker 2: got nineteen dollars ooh yeah. But I would say patience, 460 00:27:56,520 --> 00:28:01,000 Speaker 2: time and just knowing that those emotions you have are normal, 461 00:28:01,359 --> 00:28:03,199 Speaker 2: but one of the best things you can do is 462 00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:08,120 Speaker 2: face it, and that's how you can actually push through it. 463 00:28:11,359 --> 00:28:16,000 Speaker 4: Thank you for that. I love that advice. And I 464 00:28:16,119 --> 00:28:20,240 Speaker 4: know that there's some listener, multiple listeners, who are hearing 465 00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:23,520 Speaker 4: this and they are going to take it to heart 466 00:28:23,760 --> 00:28:30,600 Speaker 4: and tap into following their dreams. And so as you 467 00:28:30,760 --> 00:28:37,080 Speaker 4: all have made these terms like you award winning. Now 468 00:28:39,240 --> 00:28:42,960 Speaker 4: with all of that, all of the accolades and all 469 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:49,680 Speaker 4: of the recognition, naturally the critics are going to follow. 470 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:50,720 Speaker 4: The critics are going. 471 00:28:50,680 --> 00:28:51,200 Speaker 3: To show up. 472 00:28:52,560 --> 00:28:56,800 Speaker 4: And like we keep stating, you all are a real family. 473 00:28:57,440 --> 00:29:02,680 Speaker 4: Gracie is a child, and so how do you all 474 00:29:02,920 --> 00:29:08,640 Speaker 4: navigate conversations with Gracie or conversations amongst you and your 475 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:11,680 Speaker 4: husband around handling the critics. 476 00:29:12,800 --> 00:29:18,440 Speaker 2: So early on my husband said, don'try comments, don't look 477 00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:22,840 Speaker 2: at them, and sometimes I'm guilty I do. But I 478 00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:26,280 Speaker 2: think one of the most important things I've learned is 479 00:29:27,160 --> 00:29:31,000 Speaker 2: you work hard with hopes that you can create something 480 00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:38,600 Speaker 2: that resonates with everyone. But that's not realistic because you know, 481 00:29:39,160 --> 00:29:43,680 Speaker 2: Gracie's corner is fantastic. But I know that some parents 482 00:29:43,880 --> 00:29:46,920 Speaker 2: it may not be their cup of tea for their children. 483 00:29:47,040 --> 00:29:48,800 Speaker 2: And like I said, every children, every child has a 484 00:29:48,800 --> 00:29:52,760 Speaker 2: different learning style. They may have different kinds of learning 485 00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:55,120 Speaker 2: content they want to put their children in front of. 486 00:29:55,280 --> 00:29:58,320 Speaker 2: But I think early on I learned, Okay, there's going 487 00:29:58,400 --> 00:30:02,120 Speaker 2: to be people who have been to say that's okay. 488 00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:06,200 Speaker 2: I try to not read comments too much, but you 489 00:30:06,200 --> 00:30:09,440 Speaker 2: can actually learn from criticism too. So that's the reason 490 00:30:09,480 --> 00:30:12,880 Speaker 2: why sometimes I'll still take a peek and you know, 491 00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:16,960 Speaker 2: we'll get some feedback and we'll use it. I'll give 492 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:20,400 Speaker 2: a good example our phonic song, which was one of 493 00:30:20,440 --> 00:30:27,920 Speaker 2: our most popular songs. It actually taught the phonemes not 494 00:30:28,160 --> 00:30:31,840 Speaker 2: using pure sounds. And so there were a lot of 495 00:30:31,960 --> 00:30:35,720 Speaker 2: teachers in our comments in the very beginning that were 496 00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:40,400 Speaker 2: dragging us like why would you do this? Why would 497 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:45,720 Speaker 2: you make songs that don't teach those reading fundamentals the 498 00:30:45,720 --> 00:30:48,640 Speaker 2: way they're supposed to be taught. And the crazy thing is, 499 00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:53,000 Speaker 2: if you go back and look at other similar videos, 500 00:30:53,120 --> 00:30:55,760 Speaker 2: they do the same thing. I think what happened is 501 00:30:56,680 --> 00:31:01,080 Speaker 2: with research and advancements, things change, so you learn not 502 00:31:01,360 --> 00:31:04,760 Speaker 2: to say sounds a certain way and there's a new 503 00:31:04,760 --> 00:31:08,160 Speaker 2: way it's taught. And so we actually took that feedback 504 00:31:08,360 --> 00:31:10,120 Speaker 2: and we actually made a new song. We made a 505 00:31:10,280 --> 00:31:15,880 Speaker 2: pure letter sound song to actually respond to those teachers 506 00:31:15,920 --> 00:31:20,040 Speaker 2: because we heard them. We're like, okay, you know, one, 507 00:31:20,240 --> 00:31:23,080 Speaker 2: there's no way to make a song like phonic song 508 00:31:23,840 --> 00:31:27,400 Speaker 2: with pure sounds because the sounds are to a song 509 00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:29,760 Speaker 2: and they have in order for them to have that 510 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:34,000 Speaker 2: melody like bub but bug. If you do a pure sound, 511 00:31:34,280 --> 00:31:36,200 Speaker 2: it's not going to have that going on. But we 512 00:31:36,360 --> 00:31:39,800 Speaker 2: listened to them, took their feedback, and made a pure 513 00:31:40,160 --> 00:31:44,200 Speaker 2: letter sound song. So I say that because criticism is 514 00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:49,880 Speaker 2: going to come, and I've learned to look at comments, 515 00:31:49,920 --> 00:31:52,760 Speaker 2: look at feedback. But if someone's being nasty and ugly 516 00:31:52,800 --> 00:31:58,160 Speaker 2: and they're not saying something that can actually help, then 517 00:31:58,040 --> 00:32:00,400 Speaker 2: I don't give it much weight. I just moved past that. 518 00:32:00,440 --> 00:32:03,920 Speaker 2: I've learned not to be commenting because there was one 519 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:06,520 Speaker 2: point where people would make a little comment about my daughter, 520 00:32:06,560 --> 00:32:09,040 Speaker 2: I'd be trying to jump on and be like, hey, 521 00:32:09,400 --> 00:32:11,680 Speaker 2: don't be talking about her. And I got to the 522 00:32:11,720 --> 00:32:16,120 Speaker 2: point where I learned like, okay, girls, stop engaging, like 523 00:32:16,480 --> 00:32:21,600 Speaker 2: leave it alone. Let people talk. Teach her that regardless 524 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:25,320 Speaker 2: of what you do, regardless of how great you are, 525 00:32:25,920 --> 00:32:30,600 Speaker 2: regardless of how great your intention is, people are still 526 00:32:30,600 --> 00:32:33,719 Speaker 2: going to have something to say. And so look at 527 00:32:33,720 --> 00:32:37,040 Speaker 2: those comments that maybe are helpful, see what you can 528 00:32:37,080 --> 00:32:40,720 Speaker 2: do with them. But people who are not being helpful, 529 00:32:41,120 --> 00:32:45,240 Speaker 2: then try your best just to understand that comes with 530 00:32:45,320 --> 00:32:50,080 Speaker 2: the territory and pay more attention to your positive comments. 531 00:32:50,280 --> 00:32:53,760 Speaker 2: So I think music psychologist's like that mindfulness stuff like, Okay, 532 00:32:54,040 --> 00:32:56,200 Speaker 2: what are you going to pay attention to? Are you 533 00:32:56,240 --> 00:33:01,240 Speaker 2: going to pay attention to the negative things the positive things? 534 00:33:01,320 --> 00:33:04,800 Speaker 2: And I choose to pay attention to the positive comments more. 535 00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:08,120 Speaker 1: I love that you pointed that out. And I think 536 00:33:08,160 --> 00:33:11,400 Speaker 1: there is so much importance around constructive feedback because, like 537 00:33:11,400 --> 00:33:13,479 Speaker 1: you said, sometimes you can really learn a lot from 538 00:33:13,520 --> 00:33:15,920 Speaker 1: the feedback that people share. And also, we won't play 539 00:33:15,920 --> 00:33:18,720 Speaker 1: about our baby, so I totally feel you on being 540 00:33:18,760 --> 00:33:20,400 Speaker 1: in the comments like hold on, don't we talk about 541 00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:22,800 Speaker 1: my baby? And speaking of your baby, Gracie, you're a 542 00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:23,920 Speaker 1: big girl now, I guess. 543 00:33:24,160 --> 00:33:24,240 Speaker 5: So. 544 00:33:24,480 --> 00:33:27,520 Speaker 1: She touches on a lot of topics on the show, right, 545 00:33:27,640 --> 00:33:31,160 Speaker 1: We have things like facing your fears, self affirmation, bullying 546 00:33:31,320 --> 00:33:34,960 Speaker 1: and more, how do you find a balance between the 547 00:33:35,080 --> 00:33:38,200 Speaker 1: show and your own unique journey? And then also, are 548 00:33:38,200 --> 00:33:41,240 Speaker 1: there any topics that you definitely like would not approach 549 00:33:41,480 --> 00:33:42,080 Speaker 1: for the show. 550 00:33:43,280 --> 00:33:49,880 Speaker 2: I think that so first, she's a child first, we're 551 00:33:49,960 --> 00:33:54,480 Speaker 2: family first, and so I've always told her she always 552 00:33:54,520 --> 00:33:59,200 Speaker 2: knows if this ever becomes something you don't like, you 553 00:33:59,280 --> 00:34:01,959 Speaker 2: don't have to do it. I think that ends up 554 00:34:02,000 --> 00:34:06,360 Speaker 2: being the beauty of animation. She's an animated character, and 555 00:34:06,520 --> 00:34:10,080 Speaker 2: at any point if she decides, you know what, I 556 00:34:10,120 --> 00:34:12,680 Speaker 2: want to go start my solo career in seeing, or 557 00:34:12,760 --> 00:34:16,880 Speaker 2: you know what, I want to be a basketball player, 558 00:34:17,160 --> 00:34:20,560 Speaker 2: or I want to focus only on my academics, whatever 559 00:34:20,640 --> 00:34:25,719 Speaker 2: that looks like. We're very fortunate that our content's animated, 560 00:34:25,960 --> 00:34:30,160 Speaker 2: and you know, we do have the ability to like 561 00:34:30,400 --> 00:34:33,160 Speaker 2: Pepa pig has I think many people who have voiced 562 00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:36,040 Speaker 2: that character. That's an example, but there's a lot of 563 00:34:36,360 --> 00:34:40,120 Speaker 2: characters that change whoever does the voice over over time. 564 00:34:40,840 --> 00:34:43,840 Speaker 2: And so although she can keep doing it, you know, 565 00:34:43,920 --> 00:34:47,080 Speaker 2: for years to come, if at any point she decides 566 00:34:47,200 --> 00:34:51,640 Speaker 2: this is not something I want to do, then you know, 567 00:34:51,680 --> 00:34:55,640 Speaker 2: we'll pivot. And she always knows that. Another thing for 568 00:34:55,840 --> 00:34:59,719 Speaker 2: us is we want to make sure she understands that 569 00:35:00,200 --> 00:35:03,920 Speaker 2: being a child is your priority. And so when she records, 570 00:35:04,440 --> 00:35:07,200 Speaker 2: she records maybe only once a week. Of even that, 571 00:35:07,680 --> 00:35:10,200 Speaker 2: we're at the point where sometimes she doesn't record for 572 00:35:10,280 --> 00:35:14,000 Speaker 2: like two weeks. You know, there was one point where 573 00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:17,200 Speaker 2: we were recording every week, and it's really gotten to 574 00:35:17,239 --> 00:35:20,080 Speaker 2: the point because she's in school and those classes are 575 00:35:20,080 --> 00:35:25,440 Speaker 2: getting harder. This past year, Homegirl was bringing back geometry algebra, 576 00:35:26,120 --> 00:35:28,279 Speaker 2: and she had a lot of problems, so she would 577 00:35:28,320 --> 00:35:32,359 Speaker 2: be up doing that homework late. And so realistically, she's 578 00:35:32,400 --> 00:35:37,399 Speaker 2: in school. You know, that's a priority, her being a kid. 579 00:35:37,480 --> 00:35:40,400 Speaker 2: And then she was playing basketball. Oh my goodness, that 580 00:35:40,560 --> 00:35:43,160 Speaker 2: was so hard. But it's one of those things it's like, well, 581 00:35:44,239 --> 00:35:47,440 Speaker 2: i'd love to have you record every week, but if 582 00:35:47,440 --> 00:35:49,720 Speaker 2: it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit, and we'll figure it out. 583 00:35:49,800 --> 00:35:52,640 Speaker 2: And I feel like that's what we've done, is we 584 00:35:52,800 --> 00:35:56,239 Speaker 2: prioritize her being her and her feeling like she has 585 00:35:56,280 --> 00:35:59,640 Speaker 2: a voice, because every child should feel like she has 586 00:35:59,640 --> 00:36:02,840 Speaker 2: a voice, Like her decision to go to school was 587 00:36:02,840 --> 00:36:05,240 Speaker 2: her decision. Because a lot of people in this field 588 00:36:05,320 --> 00:36:07,920 Speaker 2: have told us she should be homeschooled. Why are you 589 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:11,560 Speaker 2: not homeschooling her because she doesn't want to. We asked her, 590 00:36:12,120 --> 00:36:14,719 Speaker 2: and we've had some people who've critiqued us and said, 591 00:36:14,800 --> 00:36:19,680 Speaker 2: you're making a mistake because you could really be developing 592 00:36:20,000 --> 00:36:24,040 Speaker 2: her in this area and she should be auditioned. And 593 00:36:24,080 --> 00:36:25,560 Speaker 2: I say, you know what, at the end of it, 594 00:36:26,000 --> 00:36:29,080 Speaker 2: this child's going to be an adult. And me, as 595 00:36:29,120 --> 00:36:33,440 Speaker 2: a psychologist, I've worked you know with adults who has 596 00:36:33,600 --> 00:36:36,120 Speaker 2: children did not feel like they had control or had 597 00:36:36,120 --> 00:36:39,040 Speaker 2: a voice, and I've seen how damaging that can be. 598 00:36:39,680 --> 00:36:43,440 Speaker 2: And while I'm not perfect, I do everything I can 599 00:36:44,520 --> 00:36:50,000 Speaker 2: to make sure she feels heard. So that's the first thing. 600 00:36:50,239 --> 00:36:54,279 Speaker 2: You know, that balance, you know, is so important. And 601 00:36:54,320 --> 00:36:59,200 Speaker 2: with regard to song topics, I feel like as a family, 602 00:36:59,280 --> 00:37:02,279 Speaker 2: we discussed topics we do and it's so funny, like 603 00:37:02,320 --> 00:37:04,480 Speaker 2: we'll meet and we'll be like, hey, what do you 604 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:08,200 Speaker 2: think about this? There's some things I've brought to Javores 605 00:37:08,960 --> 00:37:11,399 Speaker 2: and you know it hasn't come to fruition. But I'll 606 00:37:11,400 --> 00:37:14,360 Speaker 2: give an example the ABC affirmation song, which is like 607 00:37:14,600 --> 00:37:17,760 Speaker 2: my favorite song. It was an idea brought to Javores. 608 00:37:17,760 --> 00:37:19,920 Speaker 2: I said it'd be so cool if we did an 609 00:37:19,960 --> 00:37:23,399 Speaker 2: ab CE song with affirmations. And when I first told 610 00:37:23,480 --> 00:37:25,360 Speaker 2: him that, he was like, I don't like that idea. 611 00:37:26,840 --> 00:37:29,359 Speaker 2: I was like really, he was like no, I don't 612 00:37:29,400 --> 00:37:32,480 Speaker 2: like that idea. I'm like okay. And the crazy thing 613 00:37:32,600 --> 00:37:34,600 Speaker 2: is maybe a month later he came back and he 614 00:37:34,719 --> 00:37:37,520 Speaker 2: was like, you know what, that idea you had actually 615 00:37:37,520 --> 00:37:40,279 Speaker 2: sounds like a good idea. I was like, ha ha ha, 616 00:37:41,560 --> 00:37:46,320 Speaker 2: I know, I know I read ideas, but an example, 617 00:37:46,320 --> 00:37:49,439 Speaker 2: like we bring things to each other. He'll ask me, Hey, 618 00:37:49,840 --> 00:37:54,160 Speaker 2: want to make a song about being brave? What are 619 00:37:54,200 --> 00:37:55,680 Speaker 2: the steps to doing that? 620 00:37:56,440 --> 00:37:56,680 Speaker 3: You know? 621 00:37:56,800 --> 00:37:59,680 Speaker 2: And so we talked about things. Are there topics we 622 00:37:59,719 --> 00:38:03,600 Speaker 2: won't talk about? I mean, not really that I can 623 00:38:03,640 --> 00:38:07,720 Speaker 2: think of. I think as we continue on this journey, 624 00:38:07,840 --> 00:38:10,960 Speaker 2: there's gonna be there will be songs that will have 625 00:38:11,120 --> 00:38:14,360 Speaker 2: Like we have a song coming out soon that's actually 626 00:38:14,400 --> 00:38:20,600 Speaker 2: about the no touch zone, you know. So it's so important. Yeah, 627 00:38:20,640 --> 00:38:25,360 Speaker 2: a difficult subject, but a really important topic to talk about, 628 00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:28,920 Speaker 2: to know what is good touch, what is touch that 629 00:38:29,040 --> 00:38:32,640 Speaker 2: is not good? You know? And so I say that 630 00:38:32,719 --> 00:38:36,120 Speaker 2: because we have to talk about those difficult subjects, they're important. 631 00:38:39,000 --> 00:38:42,360 Speaker 4: Wow, that that is important to touch on the things 632 00:38:42,440 --> 00:38:51,200 Speaker 4: that parents sometimes hesitate. And so by creating this content, 633 00:38:51,239 --> 00:38:56,239 Speaker 4: then that opens the door for conversations in families. And 634 00:38:56,320 --> 00:39:02,319 Speaker 4: so earlier you mentioned balance, and I love how you 635 00:39:02,400 --> 00:39:08,120 Speaker 4: emphasize the importance of Gracie having balance and allowing her 636 00:39:08,320 --> 00:39:13,560 Speaker 4: to have some voice in what she's doing. But what 637 00:39:13,680 --> 00:39:18,600 Speaker 4: about for you as mom in the background, helping to 638 00:39:18,680 --> 00:39:25,520 Speaker 4: manage and navigate this journey. You mentioned before that you 639 00:39:25,640 --> 00:39:31,800 Speaker 4: were at one point teaching full time and seeing twenty 640 00:39:31,840 --> 00:39:35,759 Speaker 4: five clients a week. On top of that, I know 641 00:39:36,280 --> 00:39:41,080 Speaker 4: from my own experience how intense all of that is, 642 00:39:42,120 --> 00:39:49,719 Speaker 4: on top of creating content, managing your family. How do 643 00:39:49,880 --> 00:39:51,160 Speaker 4: you find balance? 644 00:39:52,600 --> 00:39:56,680 Speaker 2: I think one of the most important things I do 645 00:39:57,360 --> 00:40:01,200 Speaker 2: is I figure out what my priority are. I say, 646 00:40:01,239 --> 00:40:05,040 Speaker 2: you know what my priority first is being a wife, 647 00:40:05,760 --> 00:40:07,920 Speaker 2: a mom, and being myself. 648 00:40:08,239 --> 00:40:08,400 Speaker 3: You know. 649 00:40:08,440 --> 00:40:11,480 Speaker 2: I say that because George and I were funny. We 650 00:40:11,719 --> 00:40:16,480 Speaker 2: intentionally make sure we always take trips to our friends 651 00:40:16,719 --> 00:40:19,880 Speaker 2: and so everything's not a family trip. Everything's on a 652 00:40:19,920 --> 00:40:23,600 Speaker 2: couple trip. I last year went to Europe with a 653 00:40:23,719 --> 00:40:27,240 Speaker 2: couple of my girlfriends. This year we'll be doing that again. 654 00:40:27,840 --> 00:40:30,840 Speaker 2: He does that too, and we kind of model this 655 00:40:31,000 --> 00:40:33,719 Speaker 2: charge children. I think it's important for them to see, like, hey, 656 00:40:34,200 --> 00:40:38,799 Speaker 2: healthy relationships. You know, it's going to be one where 657 00:40:38,800 --> 00:40:42,000 Speaker 2: the person respects you and knows that you may need 658 00:40:42,040 --> 00:40:44,960 Speaker 2: some you time. You know, so I may need a 659 00:40:45,000 --> 00:40:48,800 Speaker 2: time where I need to take a day to myself 660 00:40:49,160 --> 00:40:54,040 Speaker 2: and go get myself a good meal. And you know, 661 00:40:54,160 --> 00:40:57,120 Speaker 2: one of the things I do is I actually run 662 00:40:57,320 --> 00:41:00,400 Speaker 2: half I don't run marathons, I do half marathons, but 663 00:41:00,640 --> 00:41:03,480 Speaker 2: I do run and that can be therapeutic for me. 664 00:41:04,200 --> 00:41:06,279 Speaker 2: So that's one thing I will do, and I feel 665 00:41:06,360 --> 00:41:07,920 Speaker 2: like when I do go for runs, I like to 666 00:41:07,920 --> 00:41:11,280 Speaker 2: front outdoors. I can clear my mind. But I feel 667 00:41:11,320 --> 00:41:14,920 Speaker 2: like all of us as a family, we kind of understand. 668 00:41:14,920 --> 00:41:19,319 Speaker 2: I think he can see sometimes when I'm getting overwhelmed. 669 00:41:19,360 --> 00:41:21,839 Speaker 2: I can see when he's getting overwhelmed, and we can 670 00:41:21,880 --> 00:41:25,279 Speaker 2: kind of voice to each other, Hey, you know, why 671 00:41:25,280 --> 00:41:27,720 Speaker 2: don't you take some time and do this, because sometimes 672 00:41:27,760 --> 00:41:31,359 Speaker 2: I don't necessarily see it. And I think we do 673 00:41:31,360 --> 00:41:33,640 Speaker 2: do a lot of work for things we love, like 674 00:41:33,800 --> 00:41:36,520 Speaker 2: love my family, will do every and anything. I feel 675 00:41:36,560 --> 00:41:38,759 Speaker 2: like I have to be a super mom. I'm very 676 00:41:38,800 --> 00:41:42,680 Speaker 2: hands on, and not to say anything about people who 677 00:41:42,680 --> 00:41:46,120 Speaker 2: are not extremely hands on, but I take them to 678 00:41:46,200 --> 00:41:49,560 Speaker 2: all their appointments, to all their extracurricular and I have 679 00:41:49,760 --> 00:41:52,600 Speaker 2: people that are like girls time to get a nanny, 680 00:41:52,640 --> 00:41:54,480 Speaker 2: and I'm like, you know, if I need to, eventually, 681 00:41:54,560 --> 00:41:58,520 Speaker 2: I will, but right now, I just try to be everywhere, 682 00:41:59,080 --> 00:42:01,400 Speaker 2: every minute. And I know that's probably one of the 683 00:42:01,440 --> 00:42:05,040 Speaker 2: negative things about me, is that, you know, sometimes I 684 00:42:05,239 --> 00:42:07,480 Speaker 2: do think I have superpowers and I try to do 685 00:42:07,520 --> 00:42:10,520 Speaker 2: everything and be everything, and so I think that balance 686 00:42:10,760 --> 00:42:16,520 Speaker 2: is me. If Javoris is not saying, hey, you know, 687 00:42:16,640 --> 00:42:19,040 Speaker 2: you need a little break. It's me kind of saying 688 00:42:19,080 --> 00:42:22,160 Speaker 2: to myself like, okay, let me we go run, let 689 00:42:22,200 --> 00:42:26,959 Speaker 2: me you know, schedule this girl's trip. You know, let's 690 00:42:26,960 --> 00:42:29,520 Speaker 2: take a couple's trip. Well, you know, so there's different 691 00:42:29,560 --> 00:42:32,640 Speaker 2: things I'll do, but even a day like it may 692 00:42:32,680 --> 00:42:36,440 Speaker 2: be I need to read a book or I need 693 00:42:36,480 --> 00:42:40,200 Speaker 2: to go for a walk. So it's intentional. You're gonna 694 00:42:40,200 --> 00:42:43,400 Speaker 2: hear me say, being intentional, it's building those things in 695 00:42:44,080 --> 00:42:49,120 Speaker 2: because if you don't, it's easy to lose yourself. It's 696 00:42:49,239 --> 00:42:53,879 Speaker 2: easy to lose sight of what you need. And they 697 00:42:53,880 --> 00:42:56,719 Speaker 2: always say, you can't pour from an empty cup. So 698 00:42:56,760 --> 00:43:00,959 Speaker 2: how do we create the things we're creating and give 699 00:43:01,040 --> 00:43:05,160 Speaker 2: what we're giving If we're not nurturing and giving ourselves 700 00:43:05,200 --> 00:43:06,640 Speaker 2: what we need first. 701 00:43:08,560 --> 00:43:11,880 Speaker 1: That is so important. That prioritization and taking care of 702 00:43:11,880 --> 00:43:14,319 Speaker 1: yourself as an individual, like you said before, you pour 703 00:43:14,400 --> 00:43:18,680 Speaker 1: into your family and others. That's so important. So, Arlene, 704 00:43:18,800 --> 00:43:22,360 Speaker 1: let's say we're ten years down the line and Gracie's 705 00:43:22,440 --> 00:43:26,360 Speaker 1: Corner has evolved into a full universe. It's like Grace's 706 00:43:26,360 --> 00:43:28,880 Speaker 1: Corner universe, right, the merch the shows all kinds of 707 00:43:28,960 --> 00:43:32,400 Speaker 1: amazing things. What does that universe look like from your perspective? 708 00:43:33,000 --> 00:43:35,040 Speaker 1: And who is it for? Who might be in it? 709 00:43:35,040 --> 00:43:36,799 Speaker 1: Like what are some collaborations you see? Like what does 710 00:43:36,840 --> 00:43:37,720 Speaker 1: that look like in action? 711 00:43:38,760 --> 00:43:44,720 Speaker 2: The crazy thing is that's actually happening as we speak. Yay. Yeah, 712 00:43:44,760 --> 00:43:49,920 Speaker 2: So as we speak, live show expected to actually kick 713 00:43:49,960 --> 00:43:55,200 Speaker 2: off the end of this year, and merchandise talks are 714 00:43:55,320 --> 00:44:01,080 Speaker 2: always ongoing, Like we have a hair line, have books, 715 00:44:01,440 --> 00:44:04,960 Speaker 2: I know, like a natural hairline starts with like baby products. 716 00:44:05,480 --> 00:44:09,440 Speaker 2: It's going to be in some freaking mortar stores and online, 717 00:44:09,960 --> 00:44:16,440 Speaker 2: but it's already kind of becoming that Racy's Corner global brand, 718 00:44:16,560 --> 00:44:20,480 Speaker 2: that universe, and I think what it looks like is 719 00:44:21,680 --> 00:44:25,520 Speaker 2: and why we've been intentional. It's not saying that other 720 00:44:25,680 --> 00:44:29,000 Speaker 2: people are not going to nurture and love what we've 721 00:44:29,040 --> 00:44:33,040 Speaker 2: built the way we have, but we've been purposeful about 722 00:44:33,080 --> 00:44:36,960 Speaker 2: staying involved, Like we still have one hundred percent ownership 723 00:44:37,000 --> 00:44:40,239 Speaker 2: of Gracie's Corner, And it's not to say that other 724 00:44:40,320 --> 00:44:44,480 Speaker 2: people can't contribute, and like I said, other people may 725 00:44:44,520 --> 00:44:49,239 Speaker 2: share our vision, but the ownership for us allows us 726 00:44:49,239 --> 00:44:55,320 Speaker 2: to have full control over what everything looks like. So yeah, 727 00:44:55,800 --> 00:44:59,560 Speaker 2: another part of why we say we're intentional. We're intentional 728 00:44:59,600 --> 00:45:02,680 Speaker 2: about especially since there's a little girl involved, like my 729 00:45:02,760 --> 00:45:06,600 Speaker 2: daughter's involved, as log is she's involved. You better believe 730 00:45:07,040 --> 00:45:10,040 Speaker 2: that we're going to have majority, if not one hundred 731 00:45:10,080 --> 00:45:14,000 Speaker 2: percent ownership and have the ability to have that creative 732 00:45:14,120 --> 00:45:18,200 Speaker 2: control just because that's important to us. We want it 733 00:45:18,239 --> 00:45:22,319 Speaker 2: to remain authentic. So what you can expect is what 734 00:45:22,400 --> 00:45:25,520 Speaker 2: you've been seeing. Expect to see it be on other 735 00:45:25,680 --> 00:45:32,000 Speaker 2: streaming platform soon. Expect to see long form content like 736 00:45:32,120 --> 00:45:35,360 Speaker 2: episodes where you can get to learn about the characters, 737 00:45:36,520 --> 00:45:40,960 Speaker 2: so you name it. But we've been very fortunate to 738 00:45:41,040 --> 00:45:45,120 Speaker 2: create something that resonates and get so much support. We're 739 00:45:45,160 --> 00:45:47,640 Speaker 2: so thankful to our supporters. We're not who we are 740 00:45:47,680 --> 00:45:53,239 Speaker 2: without them, and so because of them, we now get 741 00:45:54,640 --> 00:45:58,799 Speaker 2: close to one hundred and fifty million views per month, 742 00:45:58,880 --> 00:46:02,000 Speaker 2: sometimes more than that. We have, like I know, over 743 00:46:02,120 --> 00:46:06,680 Speaker 2: five million subscribers just on YouTube alone, and so we're 744 00:46:06,719 --> 00:46:10,040 Speaker 2: just growing and we're so thankful for all the support 745 00:46:10,080 --> 00:46:12,600 Speaker 2: because we don't get here by ourselves. We're not even 746 00:46:12,640 --> 00:46:14,400 Speaker 2: though we're a small family. We've had a lot of 747 00:46:14,440 --> 00:46:17,080 Speaker 2: people lifting us up in this journey. 748 00:46:19,280 --> 00:46:24,920 Speaker 4: Wow, that is so beautiful, and we are just so 749 00:46:25,280 --> 00:46:28,600 Speaker 4: excited for you all and looking forward to seeing all 750 00:46:28,680 --> 00:46:34,359 Speaker 4: that continues to emerge from Gracie's corner. And so, Doctor Arlene, 751 00:46:34,600 --> 00:46:38,520 Speaker 4: as we wrap up this interview, is there anything we 752 00:46:38,600 --> 00:46:42,080 Speaker 4: have not asked about that You're like, I need them 753 00:46:42,080 --> 00:46:42,879 Speaker 4: to know about this. 754 00:46:44,200 --> 00:46:47,839 Speaker 2: No, I think that y'all have asked some great questions 755 00:46:47,960 --> 00:46:50,680 Speaker 2: and I appreciate. I think the most important thing I 756 00:46:50,719 --> 00:46:55,160 Speaker 2: always like people to get from our story is if 757 00:46:55,200 --> 00:46:58,800 Speaker 2: you can dream it, you can see it. I think 758 00:46:58,920 --> 00:47:02,040 Speaker 2: that it's one of the cool stories that we can 759 00:47:02,239 --> 00:47:03,880 Speaker 2: or one of the cool things about our story we 760 00:47:03,920 --> 00:47:08,239 Speaker 2: can share is you know, we're just a family, and 761 00:47:08,280 --> 00:47:12,200 Speaker 2: we're not a family that had unlimited resources, but we're 762 00:47:12,239 --> 00:47:14,920 Speaker 2: a family that had a vision. We're a family that 763 00:47:15,000 --> 00:47:18,560 Speaker 2: work together. We're a family that still works together, and 764 00:47:18,600 --> 00:47:21,720 Speaker 2: we're a family that continues to stay true to ourselves. 765 00:47:22,800 --> 00:47:26,200 Speaker 2: And I feel like that's why we continue to grow 766 00:47:26,239 --> 00:47:28,680 Speaker 2: the way we continue to grow because I think people 767 00:47:28,719 --> 00:47:32,480 Speaker 2: can feel it. I think we passed that authenticity sniff 768 00:47:32,520 --> 00:47:35,240 Speaker 2: test because people know, like, Okay, these are real people 769 00:47:35,320 --> 00:47:39,839 Speaker 2: that are really caring and really pouring into it what 770 00:47:39,920 --> 00:47:42,960 Speaker 2: they want their children or what they would want their 771 00:47:43,040 --> 00:47:44,120 Speaker 2: children to get from it. 772 00:47:45,760 --> 00:47:48,759 Speaker 1: Well, Arlene, this was an amazing conversation. I we're just 773 00:47:48,800 --> 00:47:51,160 Speaker 1: going to thank you on behalf of our community because 774 00:47:51,239 --> 00:47:53,960 Speaker 1: we know that that just it means so much to 775 00:47:54,120 --> 00:47:56,160 Speaker 1: our community, the work that you all are doing. And 776 00:47:56,239 --> 00:47:59,120 Speaker 1: I love that y'all have one hundred percent of ownership. Yes, 777 00:47:59,160 --> 00:48:01,279 Speaker 1: black family do that. That is so important for us 778 00:48:01,360 --> 00:48:05,920 Speaker 1: to own our narratives and what we're investing into our children. 779 00:48:05,920 --> 00:48:08,200 Speaker 1: That is so crucial. So thank you for that. We 780 00:48:08,280 --> 00:48:09,920 Speaker 1: appreciate you and all the work that you and your 781 00:48:09,960 --> 00:48:12,359 Speaker 1: family are doing. And we'd love to let the list 782 00:48:12,680 --> 00:48:15,200 Speaker 1: listeners know how can they follow you connect with you 783 00:48:15,239 --> 00:48:17,560 Speaker 1: if they're not already? Where would you like them to go? 784 00:48:17,680 --> 00:48:19,400 Speaker 1: Like I know, YouTube is one platform, but is there 785 00:48:19,440 --> 00:48:21,439 Speaker 1: anything else we can do to support you all? 786 00:48:22,280 --> 00:48:26,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, so definitely check out YouTube. So that's where we 787 00:48:26,239 --> 00:48:28,480 Speaker 2: are mainly, but like I said, we'll be expanding the 788 00:48:28,560 --> 00:48:32,080 Speaker 2: other streaming platforms in the near future. But you can 789 00:48:32,120 --> 00:48:36,200 Speaker 2: also check us out on Instagram, We're on TikTok. We 790 00:48:36,239 --> 00:48:40,680 Speaker 2: are also on Facebook by just searching Gracie's corner And 791 00:48:40,719 --> 00:48:44,560 Speaker 2: then I mean, you see our products support us, you know, 792 00:48:45,080 --> 00:48:47,120 Speaker 2: I think a lot of our products right now, we 793 00:48:47,480 --> 00:48:50,319 Speaker 2: have products online, But our most important thing I will 794 00:48:50,360 --> 00:48:52,920 Speaker 2: say this me and my husband we talk about this 795 00:48:53,000 --> 00:48:56,200 Speaker 2: all the time. If you look at our social media, 796 00:48:56,600 --> 00:48:59,320 Speaker 2: we don't have a lot of posts we make about 797 00:48:59,320 --> 00:49:03,479 Speaker 2: the product that we sell because we don't ever want 798 00:49:03,520 --> 00:49:05,440 Speaker 2: that to be the focus. We always want the focus 799 00:49:05,480 --> 00:49:08,600 Speaker 2: to be on the content. But if it's out there 800 00:49:08,719 --> 00:49:10,880 Speaker 2: and you see it and you want to purchase it, 801 00:49:10,960 --> 00:49:14,040 Speaker 2: please do you know. But we appreciate anything you do 802 00:49:14,080 --> 00:49:15,040 Speaker 2: to support us. 803 00:49:15,840 --> 00:49:19,239 Speaker 4: Well, thank you so much. This has definitely been a 804 00:49:19,360 --> 00:49:22,920 Speaker 4: joy and we look forward to bringing you back on 805 00:49:23,200 --> 00:49:27,840 Speaker 4: as things continue to evolve for you and Gracie's Corner. 806 00:49:28,640 --> 00:49:31,440 Speaker 2: Yes, thank you so much. I really appreciate y'all inviting 807 00:49:31,480 --> 00:49:38,280 Speaker 2: me on this fantastic podcast, and yes, congratulations on your growth. Yeah. 808 00:49:38,600 --> 00:49:42,200 Speaker 1: If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next steps, 809 00:49:42,640 --> 00:49:46,200 Speaker 1: this is for you. Hey, lady, is Tea here and 810 00:49:46,200 --> 00:49:48,160 Speaker 1: I just want to invite you to my free goal 811 00:49:48,239 --> 00:49:51,000 Speaker 1: map like a pro coaching workshop, where I'll share the 812 00:49:51,120 --> 00:49:54,840 Speaker 1: five proven steps to get unstuck and achieve your goals. 813 00:49:55,160 --> 00:49:59,680 Speaker 1: Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by all your ideas, juggling scattered ideas, 814 00:49:59,840 --> 00:50:03,160 Speaker 1: or maybe you just need confidence to start. This workshot 815 00:50:03,160 --> 00:50:06,239 Speaker 1: will give you the clarity, tools and the motivation to 816 00:50:06,400 --> 00:50:09,920 Speaker 1: take back control. Reserve your spot for free by visiting 817 00:50:10,000 --> 00:50:14,160 Speaker 1: her spacepodcast dot com and clicking on the goal map 818 00:50:14,280 --> 00:50:17,120 Speaker 1: like a pro webinar link. Lady, don't miss this chance 819 00:50:17,160 --> 00:50:19,160 Speaker 1: to build a roadmap that fits your life and set 820 00:50:19,200 --> 00:50:20,120 Speaker 1: you up for success. 821 00:50:20,360 --> 00:50:21,440 Speaker 3: I hope to see you there. 822 00:50:23,760 --> 00:50:27,839 Speaker 4: Thanks for tuning into Cultivating her Space. Remember that while 823 00:50:27,880 --> 00:50:32,640 Speaker 4: this podcast is all about healing, empowerment, and resilience, it's 824 00:50:32,760 --> 00:50:36,640 Speaker 4: not a substitute for therapy. If you or someone you 825 00:50:36,760 --> 00:50:40,800 Speaker 4: know needs support, check out resources like Therapy for Black 826 00:50:40,840 --> 00:50:45,440 Speaker 4: Girls or Psychology Today. If you love today's episode, do 827 00:50:45,600 --> 00:50:47,520 Speaker 4: us a favor and share it with a friend who 828 00:50:47,600 --> 00:50:52,120 Speaker 4: needs some inspiration, or leave us a quick five star review. 829 00:50:52,760 --> 00:50:55,719 Speaker 4: Your support means the world to us and helps keep 830 00:50:55,840 --> 00:50:56,920 Speaker 4: this space th thriving. 831 00:50:57,480 --> 00:51:02,319 Speaker 1: And before we meet again, repeat after me. My actions 832 00:51:02,400 --> 00:51:10,080 Speaker 1: are aligned with purpose leading to continuous transformation. Keep thriving, Lady, 833 00:51:10,239 --> 00:51:14,279 Speaker 1: and tune in next Friday for more inspiration from Cultivating 834 00:51:14,320 --> 00:51:17,360 Speaker 1: her Space. In the meantime, be sure to connect with 835 00:51:17,440 --> 00:51:20,400 Speaker 1: us on Instagram at her Space Podcast