Whew, Chile. Y'all have to forgive my delay in getting this episode up. May is such a busy month in my household because of birthdays and other milestone events—I see you on Mother's Day!

But without further ado, here is my conversation with my friend, Jasminne Mendez, as we discuss the challenges of balancing success as a mother and a career woman. Together, we share our experiences as mamas and authors, navigating the demands of motherhood while pursuing our creative passions. We discuss the trade-offs and sacrifices that come with success and the need to make choices that align with our competing priorities.

Jasminne Mendez is a best-selling Dominican-American poet, translator, playwright, audiobook narrator, and award-winning author of several books for children and adults. Including the middle-grade novel in verse, Aniana del Mar Jumps In (Dial), which received the 2024 Pura Belpre Honor Award. Her other books have received prizes from the Texas Institute of Letters, the Writer’s League of Texas, and the International Latino Book Awards. She is an MFA graduate of the creative writing program at the Rainier Writing Workshop at Pacific Lutheran University and a University of Houston alumni. She is the Program Director for the literary arts non-profit Tintero Projects and she lives and works in Houston, TX.

Follow Jasmine on IG here. You can also learn more about her and her work through her website.

Happy listening, Friend!

In this conversation, I chat with Shaniqua Smith, my son's godmother and one of my best friends. We discuss the challenges and experiences of motherhood, specifically focusing on the fourth trimester—the postpartum period.

Because -ish gets real when the baby comes. There's much to be said about the transition of welcoming a new baby at home, the emotional and mental changes, and the importance of self-care and grace.

We also touch on the pressures of comparison and the impact of social media on perceptions of motherhood.

Shaniqua Smith is a dedicated stay-at-home wife and mother of four beautiful girls. With a passion for making a difference in people's lives, she pursued a career in social work. Shaniqua earned her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and completed her Master's degree in Social Work at Alabama A&M University. Throughout her career, Shaniqua has worked with various populations, including infants anolder peoplely. She has made a positive impact through her involvement in mentoring programs, hospice care, summer camps, and providing essential resources like food and clothing. In 2020, Shaniqua took a leap of faith boldly decidedsion to leave the social work field during the pandemic. She seized the opportunity to launch her own licensed home childcare program, the Leap of Faith Learning Academy, LLC. Despite the challenges, Shaniqua embraced the journey and created a nurturing and educational environment for the children under her care. Currently, Shaniqua is taking a break from the childcare profession to focus on her role as a stay-at-home mom. She uses this time to heal, explore new opportunities, and prepare to relaunch her childcare program as a center. Shaniqua's determination, compassion, and unwavering faito inspire those around her.

This week, I chatted it up with my girl, Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, and we discussed her journey as an author and the challenges she's faced in the publishing industry.

Alyssa is a true Bronx native and has found inspiration in her culture and heritage. Through our conversation, we realized that becoming moms helped us rediscover our dreams of becoming authors and that living out our dreams has brought deeper joy into our lives.

Listen, being a mom and a creative isn't for the faint of heart. But knowing that we have little humans watching us makes it all worth it.

Alyssa is a queer Afro-Latine/x Dominican and Puerto Rican award-winning storyteller. Her ability to weave compelling stories has opened many doors for her as an author and speaker. She is also a mother and community organizer. During the day, she works with community members, non-profit organizations, and government officials to improve the world. Then she puts her writer’s hat on to craft heartfelt stories about home, family, food, and the fun places she has been. Alyssa was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, and currently lives with her partner and daughter in Philadelphia, PA. She is the author of Plátanos Are Love, The Bronx Is My Home, and Gloriana Presente: A First Day of School Book. She hopes you enjoy her stories.

Connect with Alyssa on IG: @AReynosoMorris

And check her website out at: https://www.alyssaauthor.com/

Grab my shirt here!