A Note Before We Pour
We're deep in the Summer Pour and deep in Season 2 prep at the same time, which is its own kind of boundary test. Boundaries As Care showed up right when we needed the reminder that saying no to something is often the clearest way to say yes to what matters.
Michele Lamarre and Cecilia Nelson-Hurt
Season 2 momentum is real. Two guest conversations are already recorded. We're careful about what we share before air dates are locked, but we can tell you the caliber of these conversations has us more excited than we've been all year.
We also have news worth sitting with for a second.
On August 12, Cecilia will be moderating the closing keynote, "We Are the Blueprint: A Charge to Lead, Build and Protect Each Other," at Luminary's Black Business Month Marketplace and Experience.
On September 17 and 18, The After Chapter Podcast is heading to Podcast Movement NYC, where we'll be hosting a fireside chat, "The Interview Beneath the Interview: How to Build a Show Around Questions That Don't Have Easy Answers."
On September 21 through 24, Michele will be representing the show at the National African American Insurance Association's National Conference in Charlotte.
Community voting accounted for 50% of the Podcast Movement NYC programming selection, with the remaining 50% chosen by their independent programming committee. Our community showed up, and we were selected. Thank you for that!
Neither of those happens without the two of us protecting time and saying no to other things. Which brings us back to this week's episode.
Michele and Cecilia
The No That's Actually a Yes:
Boundaries As Care
Not protection. Care. There's a version of boundary setting that's defensive, walls up, keep everyone out. This episode is about the other version. The one where the boundary is how you show someone, including yourself, that you're worth showing up for consistently.
Ginger Beer Doesn't Apologize
Not ginger ale. Ginger beer has a bite, and it doesn't apologize for it. You can soften it by mixing it into something else, or you can drink it straight and let the bite be the point. That's the boundary. Not angry. Not cold. Just clear.
Listen to the episode:
Go Back and Listen: The Signals You Almost Missed
Two weeks ago, Michele recorded solo for Listening for the Quiet Signals. It's stayed with us since. Not the loud stuff, the quiet signals. The friend you keep meaning to call. The job that's fine but not right. The thing you've explained away three times this month because it hasn't gotten loud enough to demand attention yet. Worth a relisten if you skimmed it the first time.
The notification you're ignoring.
Whose Disappointment Are You Managing?
What's a boundary you've set recently that was actually an act of care, for yourself or someone else, even though in the moment it felt like you were disappointing someone?
Catch all episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.