GOING DEEPER WITH MINAMI GESSEL

When friendship becomes almost familial what does a real sisterhood look like? I speak to Aba Mfrase-Ewur on this episode of Paradise Found. Aba is a herbalist, model, and multidisciplinary artist. Aba and I have been friends since 2018 and stuck by each other during the global pandemic, intertwining us forever on. During this time we've grown through so much together and the meaning of sisterhood and friendship has expanded for us deeply. This one is for all the "sisters" who aren't actually our sisters but who are sisters.

2024 is the year of self-compassion, self-honesty, and self-forgiveness. Compassion is Sexy! Paradise Found Season 2 Starts Now. Check out Paradise Found The Substack.

In this very vulnerable solo episode, I talk about healing from a toxic family structure. As a child, I grew up feeling very "orphaned" because of the way I was raised. My personal healing journey has required a lot of introspection and inner child / inner teenager work. As the holiday season approaches many of us are feeling isolated and triggered. This episode is a wonderful reminder that there are many tools available to those of us who don't have the picture-perfect family and feel wounded and ashamed because of it. I talk about the work it takes to heal and reparent ourselves as well as the reality of having to cut off or walk away from our families. There's much work to be done but this conversation feels like one worth starting. Check out Dr. Nicole La Pera, whose work is mentioned in this episode, here.

Can your dating era be an opportunity for spiritual growth? Can sexual exploration bring you closer to yourself? Bre Harrison (@bresayshella) former co-host of the Emotional Check-In podcast joins me for the Paradise Found sex episode. We talk about bad dates, living in NYC, and sex shame. We get a little raunchy and very silly. Thank you to @42n.tv for holding space for this Paradise Found recording. For more details on this audio video studio, recording space, and photo studio please follow @42n.tv on IG.

Live from Canada, Marcus Troy (@marcustroy) and I discuss the need for black community spaces in Montreal and finding our creative passions at any stage in life. ** Find Marcus' Artwork here Espace Gris - Multidisciplinary Studio in Montreal Marcus' Twin Brother - Naska Demini ** Apologies for some turbulent sounds during this podcast

Enga is joined by astrologer, historian, and clothesmaker Bria Scott (@briarenescott). Bria and Enga talk about mental health, spiritual community, astrology, and getting spiritual readings. Bria takes a deep dive into her background in astrology and helps us destigmatize struggling with mental health on our spiritual journey. Book a Birth Chart / Transit Reading with Bria!

Curious about how to use the full moon energy to your advantage? Getting back into your full moon rituals? The Aries Full Moon inspires me to get back into my moon practice. Drop in with me as I share my rituals and a guide to getting the most out of a moon transit. Sorry for the crunchy audio + sniffles on this one. I was feeling a little sicky but really wanted to share this with you guys.

Enga talks to Mecca James Williams. Mecca (⁠⁠@meccajw)⁠⁠ is a stylist, fashion editor, and creative who's recently decided to uproot her life from New York to Jamaica. In this episode Mecca and Enga talk about career building, breaking through, letting go, taking risks, and starting fresh. This episode was recorded at 42N Studio. Thank you to @42n.tv for holding space for this Paradise Found recording. For more details on this audio video studio, recording space, and photo studio please follow @42n.tv on IG.

On this episode of Paradise Found, I talk to the inspiring Minami Gessel. Minami is a supermodel, actress, and body activist whom I have looked up to forever, she is also one of my closest friends. Minami shares part of her beautiful Japanese / Jewish American heritage with us and opens up about her powerful history. She and I talk about the harder side of being plus-sized models, how new diet trends and the comeback of "heroin-chic skinny" culture are affecting us, our ancestry, and more.

Welcome to Paradise Found.