What if you approached your life the way romance heroines approach love — with clear standards, unwavering belief in your worth, and refusal to settle?

In this episode, Octavia Marie breaks down how to create a vision board that actually works, using principles from Genevieve Behrend's 1921 classic "Your Invisible Power." Learn the five intentions that are guiding 2026, example affirmations that feel authentic (not cringe), and why manifesting your dream life is an act of rebellion for Black women. Plus: how Hendrix Bell, Nina, and Eva Mercy are basically vision board queens. This isn't just pretty Pinterest boards — this is about choosing yourself, every single day.

📚 BOOKS MENTIONED:

1. "Your Invisible Power" by Genevieve Behrend (1921)
2. "Can't Get Enough" by Kennedy Ryan (Skyland Series #3)
3. "Plus Size Player" by Danielle Allen
4. "Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams

Find these and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Subscribe to the Culture Lit Podcast Community here: CultureLitPodcast.com

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Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

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Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!

Visit my bookshop!

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Visit my bookshop!

Sometimes your heart knows what to do before your mind catches up. In this deeply personal episode, Octavia is opening up about her wellness journey post-cancer, the messy politics of health in 2026, and why choosing joy through romance novels is actually revolutionary.

Octavia shares what she learned during three months in Portugal, how therapy helped her silence her inner critic, and why she's skeptical of wellness culture while still being intentional about her health. Plus, she's revealing the Black romance novels she's most excited to read in 2026—from Kennedy Ryan's highly anticipated Score to Danielle Allen's final Curve series book.

This episode is about trust, healing, and the wisdom that comes from choosing yourself—in wellness and in the stories we consume.

Find this and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Threads: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!

Visit my bookshop!

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Visit my bookshop!

Curl up with your favorite blanket, sis — this one's for your holiday TBR.

In this cozy episode of Culture Lit, Octavia Marie shares a curated list of Black Christmas romance novels that bring all the festive vibes: forced proximity, fake dating, second chances, bookstore magic, royal romance, and big feelings wrapped in twinkling lights. If the holidays feel hectic, consider this your invitation to slow down, grab your tea, and disappear into love stories where Black women are cherished, chosen, and celebrated.

From Christmas in Spite of You by KC Mills and Not in the Christmas Plan by Etta Easton, to Second Chance Christmas by Jahquel J, The Christmas Catch by Toni Shiloh, Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory, Only for the Holidays by Abiola Bello, The Holly Dates by Brittany Cherry, Love in Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello, and A Novel Christmas by Charity Shane — consider this your guided tour through holiday romance heaven.

Loved these recommendations? Share this episode with your Black romance book-loving friends, sign-up for the Culture Lit newsletter for special guides and more, Hit subscribe, and grab one at Culture Lit's digital bookstore — where every purchase supports independent bookstores and celebrates Black authors.

Find this and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!

Culture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.

Please follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram: becomingoctavia

Twitter: xooctaviamarie

FB: BecomingOctaviaMarie

Music credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PROD

A Subito Media production

Mentioned in this episode:

You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!

Visit my bookshop!

If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.

Visit my bookshop!