Side Effects Small Doses Podcast Best of 2023

Podcast Summary

• A year of growth for the Small Doses podcast: The Small Doses podcast grew significantly by adding a visual element and consistent high-quality content, becoming a unique space for authentic storytelling with memorable episodes like Tabitha Brown's interview.

  The Small Doses podcast, which started as a different entity a year ago, has grown significantly through the addition of a visual element and consistent high-quality content. The host's goal is to make it a place where people feel comfortable sharing their stories and being themselves. Notable guests like Tabitha Brown provided unique insights, and the podcast's popularity has grown exponentially due to listener support. The first-ever best of Small Doses edition highlights memorable episodes, including Tabitha Brown's interview, where she shared an untold story about how illness led her to her gift. Overall, the podcast has become a special and unique space for laughing, learning, and authentic storytelling.

• Personal growth through health crisis and spiritual exploration: A health crisis can lead to spiritual growth and renewed priorities, even amidst parenting and work challenges.

  A health crisis can serve as a catalyst for personal growth and spiritual exploration. The speaker was inspired by a podcast episode about a woman's decision to fully commit to her faith, leading her to question what that meant for her own connection to a higher power. However, her own health issues took precedence, as she became severely ill and was unable to receive a definitive diagnosis from doctors. This experience left her feeling lost and helpless, but ultimately led her to reevaluate her priorities and seek answers about her own spiritual journey. Despite the challenges, she remained determined to find meaning and purpose in her experiences, even as she navigated the ups and downs of parenting and dealing with her husband's stressful job. The takeaway is that even in the darkest moments, there is the potential for growth and transformation.

• People-pleasing: Neglecting Own Needs for Others: People-pleasing can lead to neglecting one's own needs, but prioritizing self-care is essential for living a fulfilling life.

  People-pleasing stems from a desire to love and care for others, but it often comes at the expense of neglecting one's own needs. This speaker shares her experience of hiding her illness from her loved ones out of fear and concern for their well-being. She also discusses how her upbringing and societal expectations played a role in her people-pleasing tendencies. However, in a moment of desperation, she turned to faith and made a commitment to living a life of obedience to something greater than herself. This shift brought her a sense of freedom from the burden of trying to control everyone's emotions and the impossible expectation of maintaining perfection. Ultimately, she learned that self-care and prioritizing one's own well-being is not selfish, but essential for living a fulfilling life.

• McDonald's commitment to quality chicken and NPR's amplification of black voices: McDonald's delivers quality chicken dishes, while NPR amplifies black voices and experiences, highlighting the importance of authenticity and staying true to one's roots.

  McDonald's has a strong commitment to delivering quality chicken dishes, as evidenced by their McRispy offering. Meanwhile, NPR's "Black Stories, Black Truths" collection highlights the importance of amplifying black voices and experiences in media. In Kandi Burruss' appearance on the Small Doses podcast, listeners gained unique insights into her experiences in the music industry. Despite misconceptions, Burruss was an active participant in her group's activities, and her candid conversation provided a valuable perspective. Overall, both McDonald's and NPR demonstrate the power of staying true to one's roots and sharing authentic stories.

• Stress of not seeing episodes before airing: Reality TV stars face challenges of connecting with fans and sharing experiences, but the stress of not seeing episodes before airing can lead to frustration and tension in personal relationships.

  Reality TV stars, like the speaker, don't get to see their own episodes before they air due to interview commitments and the desire to avoid potential conflicts. This dynamic causes stress and frustration, but the benefits of connecting with fans and sharing personal experiences outweigh the cons for many. The speaker also shared that she handles conflict differently with her group members compared to her personal relationships, often feeling like she's being made the problem. This dynamic can lead to tension and difficulty in interacting with them, even in simple greetings. Overall, being on reality TV involves a unique set of challenges and rewards.

• Embracing the 'Year of Yes' leads to unexpected outcomes: Saying yes to opportunities, even when uncertain, can lead to new experiences, challenges, and unexpected outcomes. Amplifying underrepresented voices and experiences is essential for representation and empowerment.

  Saying "yes" to opportunities, even when uncertain or uncomfortable, can lead to unexpected outcomes. In the context of the discussion, a musician agreed to collaborate with others despite feeling unsure about the benefits, leading to disagreements and confusion. However, she embraced the "year of yes" mentality and went along with their choices, eventually leading to a more complex group dynamic. In a different context, NPR's "Black Stories, Black Truths" collection emphasizes the importance of centering black voices and experiences in media and storytelling. By providing a platform for unique and nuanced perspectives, these stories offer a celebration of blackness and empowerment. For the musician, saying "yes" led to new experiences and challenges, while for NPR and its listeners, it means amplifying underrepresented voices and perspectives.

• Open communication about personal matters in families: Open communication about personal matters in families, especially for immigrants, can be challenging but necessary for healing and growth. Seek understanding, compromise, and remember that love is expressed through trying.

  Open communication about personal and private family matters, especially for immigrants, can be a challenging but necessary step towards identifying boundaries, challenging emotional immaturity, and seeking healing. Transparency, while difficult, can serve as a form of philanthropy by helping others navigate similar situations. However, confronting parents about these issues can be met with resistance, leading to feelings of hopelessness and confusion. It's important to remember that love is expressed through trying, and seeking understanding and compromise can lead to better outcomes for both parties. The role of a parent may shift as their child grows, leading to feelings of purposelessness, but it's essential to continue seeking growth and exploration for both parent and child. Ultimately, addressing these complex family dynamics requires empathy, patience, and a willingness to engage in open and honest dialogue.

• Reevaluating and restructuring relationships with parents: The process of adjusting to new understandings and developments in relationships with parents can be challenging but necessary for growth and positivity.

  Reevaluating and restructuring relationships, especially with parents, is a necessary and common part of life. It can be a challenging process, but as long as it comes from a place of positivity and growth, it is worthwhile. The journey towards raising an adult and adjusting to new understandings and developments is not always smooth, but it is important to have grace for both ourselves and our parents. Black media, such as NPR's Black Stories, Black Truths, provides a platform for celebrating and amplifying the distinct, varied, and nuanced black experiences and perspectives that have often been underrepresented in American storytelling.

• Understanding the complexities of Black experiences: Recognize and address the nuances of Black experiences, including the impact of colorism rooted in proximity to whiteness and the importance of education and self-reflection.

  The experiences of individuals within the Black community can be complex and multifaceted, particularly when it comes to the issue of colorism. The speaker shares how her experiences of being light-skinned have been misunderstood and labeled as colorism when they were actually instances of bullying. She emphasizes that colorism is rooted in the proximity to whiteness and the resulting access to privilege. However, there are also instances where light-skinned individuals perpetuate colorism themselves. The speaker encourages nuanced conversations about these experiences and acknowledges the importance of understanding the nuances of Black experiences. She also emphasizes the importance of education and self-reflection in addressing these issues. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing the complexities of experiences within the Black community.

• Acknowledging and validating all black women's experiences: Experiences matter, regardless of skin color or background. Empathy, representation, and validation are essential for recognizing the complexity and diversity of the black experience.

  Experiences matter, regardless of skin color or background. The speaker, who has faced discrimination and struggled with the concept of colorism, emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and validating all black women's experiences. She shares her own experiences of feeling invalidated due to her light skin and her past experiences with the justice system. The speaker also highlights the importance of representation and empowerment in black media, as seen in NPR's new collection, "Black Stories, Black Truth." This collection showcases the diversity and complexity of the black experience through distinct and nuanced voices. Ultimately, the speaker encourages empathy and understanding, emphasizing that all experiences, no matter how different they may seem, hold value and deserve recognition.

• Amplifying Black Voices and Experiences in Storytelling: Authentic storytelling is crucial for marginalized communities, as it amplifies underrepresented voices and showcases the varied and nuanced experiences of the black community. Speaking truthfully, even if it may come across as harsh, is essential for authenticity.

  NPR's "Black Stories, Black Truths" podcast highlights the importance of amplifying black voices and experiences in storytelling. The podcast features episodes from across NPR's podcasts that center black voices, showcasing the varied and nuanced experiences of the black community. During a conversation with TS Madison, the hosts discussed the significance of authenticity and candor in storytelling, particularly for marginalized communities. TS, a trans comedian and speaker, shared her experiences and the importance of speaking truthfully, even if it may come across as harsh. The conversation also touched on the role of figures like Caitlyn Jenner and Candace Owens in undermining the work of the black community. Overall, the podcast emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling and the power of amplifying underrepresented voices.

• Expressing emotions online can create misunderstandings: Be mindful of how your online expressions might be perceived and clarify your intentions if necessary. Recognize anger as a form of fear and unlearn limiting beliefs.

  Expressing emotions through social media or technology can unintentionally create certain personas or perceptions for others. Amanda Seales shared her experience of being misunderstood for her passionate and emotional rants on her phone, which led to her being labeled confrontational. However, she clarified that she was not talking to a specific person but just expressing her feelings. Seales also touched upon the topic of reparations and how some Black people might not truly want rights but privilege, leading to a need to deprogram our minds from certain beliefs. She emphasized the importance of recognizing anger as a form of fear and the need to unlearn the selling of our souls for cheap. Seales' career began with her phone rants, but she faced challenges in the industry for not conforming to the stereotypes of being crazy or hypersexual. She called out industry figures like Mona Scott for their villainous actions and expressed her respect for Black-owned and operated networks despite their challenges.

• Authentic connection with underrepresented communities: Creators should strive for authentic connection, avoid stereotypes, amplify underrepresented voices, and challenge preconceived notions to build a loyal following.

  Authentic connection with audiences, especially those from underrepresented communities, requires effort and understanding. During a discussion, it was mentioned that some creators believe black people don't care for certain content, but this perspective is seen as a cop-out. Instead, creators should strive to find ways to authentically connect with their audience without insulting them. This isn't always easy, but it's essential for building a loyal following. Furthermore, representation and empowerment are crucial in media, especially for black voices. NPR's "Black Stories, Black Truths" collection showcases this, offering a platform for unique black perspectives and experiences. Representation should never be about us without us, and it's essential to amplify underrepresented voices. Lastly, it's essential to challenge preconceived notions about people and to appreciate their uniqueness. In the case of KevOnStage and his wife Melissa, assumptions were made about Melissa's demeanor, but they were proven wrong when they arrived early for an interview and turned out to be warm and welcoming. It's essential to remember that people are complex and multifaceted, and we should strive to understand them fully.

• Maintaining Healthy Relationships: Understanding and Communication: Effective communication and understanding are vital for maintaining healthy relationships. Misunderstandings can lead to enemies, but open dialogue and recognizing each other's contributions can help build stronger connections.

  Effective communication and understanding are crucial in maintaining healthy relationships. KevOnStage and Melissa shared their experiences of creating and overcoming enemies in their relationship during a podcast interview. Despite the challenges, they emphasized the importance of recognizing each other's contributions and prioritizing open communication. Kev admitted to making Melissa an enemy during their planning stages for a tour, but they eventually reconciled. Melissa's multitasking during a conference call led to misunderstandings, but Kev assured her that he had her covered. This episode showcased the realities of relationship dynamics and the importance of patience, understanding, and effective communication. It served as a reminder that everyone has their unique struggles and that open dialogue can help build stronger connections.

• Understanding Priorities in Relationships: Effective communication and empathy are essential for maintaining a healthy partnership, as partners may have different priorities and values.

  Effective communication and understanding of each other's priorities are crucial in maintaining a healthy partnership. The speaker learned that his partner, Melissa, values her family and commitments above her work, just as he values building a legacy for his own family. However, their different priorities led to misunderstandings and a lack of synergy in their collaboration. The speaker realized that he didn't fully appreciate or value Melissa's choices in the moment, but with time and therapy, he came to understand and accept her perspective. The experience taught him the importance of communication, compromise, and empathy in relationships.

• Exploring personal growth and a better world in 2024 through Small Doses podcast: The Small Doses podcast encourages personal growth and advocates for mental health support, offering valuable insights and conversations through interviews and listener engagement.

  The Small Doses podcast aims to provide unique and valuable content through interviews and conversations, encouraging listeners to engage with the show and continue the conversation. The hosts also strongly advocate for therapy and mental health support. As the podcast enters a new year, the hosts hope that the lessons learned can contribute to personal growth and a better world in 2024. The show continues to ask for listener engagement through comments, shares, and subscriptions. O'Reilly Auto Parts was mentioned as a sponsor, offering professional expertise and knowledge for automotive needs.