Raw Love the Podcast

Raw Love the Podcast - Episode 5

Updated 1 day ago

In the latest episode of Raw Love, hosts Malika and Amani dive into the whirlwind of balancing PhD studies, parenthood, and personal growth. They explore the challenges of staying present in a busy life, discussing how activities like hot yoga and adrenaline-fueled adventures help them find focus. The couple shares their weekend plans, strategies for managing family duties, and the importance of maintaining individual identities outside of parenthood. With humor and honesty, Malika and Amani reflect on their journey as parents, the joys of family dinners, and their evolving relationship dynamics. They also touch on the significance of personal rituals, like Malika's love for coffee and Amani's appreciation for marijuana, in finding peace and creativity. The episode delves into the couple's superpowers, like their ability to manifest dreams together, and the areas they continue to grow in. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation full of insights and laughter.

Chapters

Introduction and Greetings (00:00:00)
The hosts, Malika and Amani, begin the show with greetings and introduce themselves to the audience.

Malika and Amani open the show by extending a warm welcome to the audience. They introduce themselves, with Malika starting first, followed by Amani. The conversation is light-hearted and sets a friendly tone for the rest of the program.
Life's Challenges: PhD, Motherhood, and Student Loans (00:00:13)
The hosts discuss the overwhelming challenges of balancing a PhD, motherhood, and student loans, emphasizing honesty about one's situation.

Amani and Malika delve into the whirlwind of challenges they face, including managing a PhD, motherhood, and student loans. They stress the importance of being honest about one's current situation and showing up authentically despite life's difficulties.
The Power of Presence (00:00:48)
Amani talks about the difficulty of sensing stress in a partner and the importance of being present and supportive.

Amani reflects on the challenge of noticing when a partner is stressed and the instinct to want to help. He acknowledges that sometimes just hearing and supporting a partner is more important than trying to fix the situation.
Weekend Plans: Hot Yoga and Adrenaline (00:01:16)
The hosts share their weekend plans, with Malika focusing on hot yoga for relaxation and Amani interested in adrenaline-inducing activities.

Malika shares her plans to attend hot yoga classes over the weekend, describing how the challenging poses help her focus and relax. Amani contrasts this by mentioning his interest in activities that provide an adrenaline rush, as both approaches help them stay present in the moment.
Parenting Strategies: Finding Individual Time (00:05:49)
The hosts discuss their strategy of switching parenting duties to maintain individual identities outside of being parents.

Amani and Malika talk about the importance of maintaining an individual identity outside of parenthood. They share their strategy of trading off parenting duties to ensure each partner gets time to themselves, which helps them reconnect with their personal identities and responsibilities outside of being parents.
The Monotony and Evolution of Parenthood (00:09:30)
They discuss how parenting is a series of phases with repetitive challenges and the importance of recognizing personal growth.

Amani and Malika reflect on the repetitive nature of parenting, noting that progress can be slow and gradual. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging personal achievements and growth as parents, which helps them push through current challenges and remember the positive impact they have on their child's development.
Drink Fixations and Personal Rituals (00:10:38)
The hosts explore their current drink fixations and the rituals around acquiring them as forms of self-care and enjoyment.

Malika discusses her fixation on coffee, describing not just the enjoyment of the drink itself but also the ritual of acquiring it, such as going through the drive-thru. She views it as an act of self-care and rebellion, choosing something for herself amidst the demands of daily life. Amani reflects on the purifying and renewing aspects of liquid and water.
Morning Routine and the Balance of Parenting Duties (00:14:00)
They compare their morning routines, highlighting differences in how they prioritize personal and parenting tasks.

Malika and Amani discuss their morning routines, with Malika focusing on getting their child ready for the day, while Amani takes time to engage in personal activities like playing the flute or practicing tai chi. They humorously highlight the differences in their approaches and the importance of balancing personal needs with parenting responsibilities.
The Role of Personal Time in Parenting (00:19:22)
Amani explains the importance of personal time for self-fulfillment and maintaining a healthy relationship.

Amani talks about the necessity of personal time for parents, emphasizing that it helps maintain self-identity and supports a healthy relationship. He notes that without taking time for oneself, it's challenging to connect with a partner from a place of fullness and self-care.
Exploring the Concept of Third Spaces (00:24:44)
Amani and Malika discuss the idea of third spaces, places outside home and work that offer community and creativity.

They explore the concept of third spaces, which are locations like coffee shops or libraries where people can spend time outside of home and work. These spaces provide a sense of community, creativity, and a break from daily routines, offering an alternative environment for productivity and relaxation.
Discovery of Viral Matcha Drinks (00:25:56)
The conversation begins with a discussion about the discovery of viral matcha drinks. The speakers discuss how matcha with espresso shots and strawberry additions have become popular online.

The segment starts with a discussion on visiting 'third spaces' and enjoying matcha drinks. One speaker mentions trying matcha with espresso shots, a drink that has gone viral on TikTok. They discuss how one of them wasn't aware of the drink's popularity and the other claims to have started the trend before it became popular on social media.
The Human Collective and Viral Ideas (00:26:38)
The speakers delve into how ideas and trends can spread across cultures and borders, suggesting a human collective consciousness. They discuss the viral nature of certain behaviors and ideas.

The dialogue shifts to a philosophical discussion about the nature of viral ideas and trends. The speakers suggest that when something is appealing enough, it can reach a collective consciousness, spreading without direct communication. They reminisce about the days before the internet and how certain behaviors, like blowing into Nintendo cartridges, became universally known, suggesting a deeper level of connection beyond known mediums.
Family Cooking Journey and New Traditions (00:31:04)
The speakers share their experiences about starting a family cooking journey, where they emphasize the importance of family dinners for bonding and creating new traditions.

The segment focuses on the family's attempt to start regular family dinners as part of a cooking journey. The speakers talk about the logistics of organizing meals without a proper dining table and the joy it brought to their daughter, who was excited to participate and choose conversation topics. They highlight the importance of these moments in building family connections and traditions, despite the challenges of starting something new.
The Role of Cannabis and Personal Experiences (00:36:01)
A candid discussion about cannabis use, its personal benefits, and societal perceptions. The speakers share their personal experiences and views on the stigma surrounding cannabis.

This part of the discussion revolves around the use of cannabis. One of the speakers talks about taking a gummy and the conversation leads to a broader discussion on the legality and medicinal value of cannabis. They talk about personal experiences, the stigmas that still exist, and the need to view cannabis as a medicinal and transcendent tool. The speakers share anecdotes from their past and discuss how cannabis has been a part of their lives, emphasizing responsible and mindful use.
Manifestation and Couple Superpowers (00:43:04)
The conversation shifts to the topic of manifestation and the unique 'superpowers' the couple shares, particularly their ability to manifest their desires and goals together.

The speakers discuss the concept of manifestation, particularly how they as a couple have honed the ability to bring their desires into reality. They explore how their combined focus and shared vision have allowed them to achieve goals and manifest situations in their lives. The discussion includes the importance of being specific in their desires and how their ability to manifest has been a powerful tool in their relationship.
Communication and Unspoken Understanding (00:46:25)
The speakers highlight their ability to communicate and understand each other's needs without words, emphasizing their strong connection and teamwork.

This segment focuses on the couple's ability to communicate through non-verbal cues, such as body language and energy. They talk about how this skill helps them efficiently manage tasks, especially as parents. They describe scenarios, like shopping with their child, where they can anticipate each other's needs and act accordingly without verbal communication, showcasing their attunement and teamwork.
Challenges in Planning and Future Goals (00:50:25)
The discussion moves to the challenges they face in planning future goals, highlighting differences in their approach to planning and decision-making.

The speakers delve into the challenges they encounter when planning for the future, such as choosing a place to live or setting long-term goals. They acknowledge their different approaches: one prefers a more structured, detailed plan, while the other relies on intuition and trust in the process. This difference sometimes leads to conflicts, but they recognize it as an area for growth in their relationship.
Planning and Urgency Discussion (00:51:38)
The speakers delve into their differing approaches to planning and urgency, highlighting how urgency is not part of one's vocabulary and the other's aversion to strict planning.

The conversation begins with one speaker discussing their readiness to take the uncomfortable steps towards planning and organizing, contrasting it with the other's slower and less urgent approach. They reflect on how urgency and planning are kryptonites for them, with one benefiting from structure but finding it unnatural, while the other can over-plan to the point of ineffectiveness.
Balancing Planning Styles (00:52:04)
The speakers discuss how their different planning styles complement each other, turning initial frustrations into a collaborative superpower that helps them achieve more together.

They talk about how their initial reactions to each other's planning styles often result in frustration and chaos, but eventually, they find a balance that enhances their collaboration. By blending styles, they influence each other positively, increasing patience and effectiveness in their joint endeavors.
Hyper-Independence in Collaboration (00:53:13)
One speaker shares their tendency towards hyper-independence in tasks, expressing the challenge of involving others in logistical processes and the importance of collaboration.

Discussing hyper-independence, the speaker explains their inclination to handle logistics and contracts alone, highlighting the struggle of involving others. They acknowledge the necessity of collaboration, even when it requires adapting to others' timelines, and reflect on balancing independence with effective teamwork.
Rethinking Speed and Collaboration (00:54:12)
The speakers discuss the proverb "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together," exploring its relevance in their approach to tasks and collaboration.

They consider the benefits of speed versus thoroughness in collaboration, recognizing the need for sometimes choosing speed but valuing the depth and support that comes from working together. They reflect on how balancing these approaches helps them achieve their goals efficiently.
Navigating with Intuition (00:55:00)
A humorous reflection on relying on intuition and others for navigation, highlighting one speaker's tendency to get lost due to an overloaded mind.

The discussion turns to navigation and direction skills, with one speaker recounting a moment of almost missing their destination due to thinking about other things. They humorously acknowledge their reliance on their partner for directions, appreciating the trust and balance it brings.
Superpowers and Complementary Strengths (01:00:00)
The speakers reflect on their complementary strengths and how they fill in each other's weak spots, highlighting planning and navigation as areas of mutual support.

They discuss how their different strengths, such as one’s planning ability and the other's navigation skills, help them support each other. These complementary skills are seen as superpowers that enhance their partnership and overall effectiveness.
Reiki Certification and Movement Alchemy (01:01:00)
Upcoming events and projects are introduced, including a Reiki certification program and a movement alchemy initiative focused on healing through exercise.

The speakers announce a Reiki Level One certification program, inviting participants to learn self-healing techniques. They also introduce Movement Alchemy, a project aimed at transforming trauma and limiting beliefs through exercise, combining fitness with emotional healing.
Podcast Conclusion and Gratitude (01:03:58)
The podcast concludes with expressions of gratitude towards the audience, emphasizing the raw and genuine nature of their conversation.

As the podcast wraps up, the speakers thank their listeners for tuning in, highlighting the authenticity and love that characterizes their discussions. They bid farewell with a warm message of peace and appreciation.