Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood

What does it really take to push through fear, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome—and still choose joy?
In this episode, I’m joined by DJ, professor, and bestselling author Amani Roberts for a grounded, honest conversation about the creative process, the emotional power of music, and the kind of joy that only shows up after you’ve risked something real.
We talk about:
How nostalgia and music help us reconnect with ourselves
The disappearance of R&B groups and what it says about culture and community
Amani’s COPPERS framework for moving through fear, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and worry
Why joy often arrives after the mess, the risk, and the discomfort
If you’ve ever been stuck in your head, second-guessed your next move, or wondered if the thing you’re building is even worth it—this episode is for you.
 
🗣️ Share with us:
What’s one song that brings you back to joy?
Drop it here: https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur
 
🤝🏾Connect with Amani
Website: https://www.amaniexperience.com
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxkCZxjdP3E8pe2cA6S4m2g 
Instagram: @amaniexperience  
📚Resources Mentioned
The Quiet Storm: A Historical and Cultural Analysis of the Power, Passion, and Pain of R&B Groups (book)  
DJ's Mean Business: One Night Behind the Turntables Can Spin Your Company's Success (book):   
🔔 Stay Connected & Support the Show
Subscribe & Share to keep these conversations alive
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All links: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod
🎛️ Production Credits
Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas
Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall
Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com 
 
#Podcast #BlackJoy #HighlyVisiblePodcast #Creativity #MusicHealing #R&B #PodcastInterview #CreativeProcess #MentalHealth #FearAndJoy #JoyAsResistance #BlackPodcasts #BlackPodcaster #BlackPodcastCommunity

Annual tradition, honest conversation.
Each July 4th I return to Frederick Douglass’ 1852 address to check the pulse of American freedom. In this replay runback I share a partial reading of the speech’s most searing passages—followed by my own reflections 
📤When have you felt both pride and discomfort on the 4th?
Share your story via voice note, DM, or tag @HighlyVisiblePod—I may feature your perspective in next year’s runback: https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur 
 
📚Resources Mentioned
A Nation’s Story: “What, to the Slave, is the 4th of July?” - National Museum of African American History & Culture: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/nations-story-what-slave-fourth-july
‘What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July?”: Descendants Read Frederick Douglass’ Speech | NPR - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBe5qbnkqoM&t=37s  
🔔 Stay Connected & Support the Show
Subscribe & Share to keep these conversations alive
Join our email list + get free stickers: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f
Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod
Follow on Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod
All links: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod
🎛️ Production Credits
Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas
Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall
Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com 
#HighlyVisiblePodcast #PodcastCommunity #PodcastCommunity #RestIsResistance #FrederickDouglass #FourthOfJuly #BlackHistory #HighlyVisiblePodcast

What happens when joy feels like a luxury you didn’t earn? In this powerful conversation with life coach and facilitator Ashmi Patel, we explore the quiet ache of perfectionism, inherited guilt, and the radical practice of feeling good—on purpose.
Ashmi shares how growing up as the daughter of immigrants shaped her relationship to joy, rest, and self-worth. From late-diagnosed ADHD to healing through creativity and coaching, she invites us to rethink the stories we’ve been told about what we deserve. If you’ve ever felt guilty for slowing down, choosing yourself, or daring to enjoy your life—this one’s for you.
🌀 Topics we explore:
How perfectionism and people-pleasing block joy
Guilt around rest and success (especially for children of immigrants)
The emotional weight of “earning” your joy
Creative healing and honoring your needs
What joy looks like outside of achievement
📤 Have you ever felt like you had to earn your joy—or that it came at a cost? Maybe you felt guilty for feeling good while others were struggling, or found it hard to celebrate something that came easily. Where do you think that feeling came from?: https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur 
 
🤝🏾 Connect with Ashmi
Email: coach@ashmipatel.com 
Website: https://ashmipatel.com/ 
All Feelings Welcome (Substack): https://ashmipatelcoaching.substack.com/subscribe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashmi-patel/    
📚 Resources Mentioned
Rick Rubin – The Creative Act (book)  https://bookshop.org/a/79820/9780593652886 
Ross Gay – Inciting Joy (book)  https://bookshop.org/a/79820/9781643753959 
Ross Gay – The Book of (More) Delights  https://bookshop.org/a/79820/9781643756356 
🔔  Stay Connected & Support the Show
Subscribe & Share to keep these conversations alive
Join our email list + get free stickers: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f
Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod
Follow on Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod
All links: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod
🎛️ Production Credits
Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas
Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall
Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com 
#HighlyVisiblePodcast #OnJoy #JoyWithoutGuilt #CreativeHealing #PodcastCommunity #OnJoy #JoyWithoutGuilt #PerfectionismRecovery #CreativeHealing #PodcastCommunity #ChildrenOfImmigrants #ADHDWomen #PeoplePleasingRecovery #RestIsResistance

What if fitness wasn’t about chasing numbers—but about reclaiming joy in your body?
In this episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, I’m joined by Brandon Howard, a personal trainer, health coach, and founder of Howard Power Fitness. Together, we explore what it means to feel at home in your body—regardless of weight, appearance, or arbitrary milestones.
Brandon shares how years in the fitness industry taught him that most people don’t just want muscle—they want to feel better, move easier, and live with more freedom. We talk about vanity goals, body image, performance culture, and how self-awareness and grace can transform how we approach movement and strength.
This episode is an invitation—to slow down, listen inward, and return to joy… on your terms.
 
💬 Join the Conversation!
When do you feel most at home in your body?
Tell us about a moment of body joy—no numbers, no pressure. Just you, being fully you.  📩 Submit here: https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur
 
🤝🏾 Connect with Brandon Howard:
Email: mbrandon@howardpowerfitness.com 
Facebook: Howard Power Fitness
📚Resources from Convo
Dr.K with @HealthyGamerGG > https://www.healthygamer.gg/ 
It’s Been a Minute with Brittany Luse > https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ne24yyz4jstbSYRUM2Qlw?si=155af6ac5aeb48d5 
🔔 Stay Connected & Support the Show
Join our email list + get free stickers: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f
Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod
Follow on Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod
All links: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod
🎛️ Production Credits
Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas
Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall
Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com 
#HighlyVisiblePodcast #OnJoy #BodyJoy #FitnessJourney #BlackJoy #HowardPowerFitness #PodcastCommunity

What if joy isn’t something we chase, but something we return to?
In this season's opening episode of our new theme, On Joy, I reflect on what it means to slow down, pay attention, and remember joy—not the loud or curated kind, but the quiet, complex, deeply human kind.
Through personal reflection, spiritual tension, generational memory, and a whole lot of pondering, this video essay sets the tone for a season-long exploration of joy in all its forms—emotional, embodied, resistant, communal, and mundane.
This isn’t a guide. It’s an invitation. To listen. To breathe. To feel.
Joy is still possible. And you’re still here.
✨ Submit your story of joy for a chance to be featured in this season: https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur
 
🎧 Subscribe & Share the Podcast: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod
📩 Join the email list for updates + free stickers: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f
📺 Subscribe to us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod
📱 Follow us: Instagram + TikTok → @HighlyVisiblePod
🎙️ All Platforms: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod
 
🎛️ Production Team
Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas (@highlyvisiblepod)
Co-produced & Additional Editing by: Reggie Hall
📬 Email: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com

What’s good y’all! It’s your boy, Jonathan Dumas. I’m dropping in with a quick check-in for my Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood fam.
We’ve been cooking behind the scenes, and I’m excited to announce that WE COMIN BACK! New Seaon, On Joy, is dropping next month!This new season is all about exploring the real, messy, sacred places where joy shows up—in our minds, our bodies, our communities, and even in the mundane moments of everyday life.
In this short solo episode, I’m sharing:– Why it’s been quiet on the audio side (but not on YouTube 👀)– What’s coming in Season 3– How you can be part of the new season by sharing your stories of joy
✨ We’re inviting you to share what’s bringing you joy! ✨Whether it’s a voice memo, a journal reflection, a favorite quote, a sketch, or a sound that feels joyful—send it our way. You might just hear yourself on a future episode!
📣 Submit your joy story here → https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur 
📺 P.S. We’re also on YouTube! Tap in, subscribe, like, comment—it helps us keep these conversations flowing. Catch up on our vault episodes here → https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod #HighlyVisiblePodcast #OnJoy #JoySeason #PodcastUpdate #StorytellingPodcast #BlackPodcasters #JoyfulLiving #EverydayJoy #PodcastCommunity #HighlyVisibleAndALittleMisunderstood

Authenticity isn’t about oversharing or performing—it’s about practicing your values daily. And in this episode, we’re getting real about what it means to truly show up, reject the performance trap, and redefine success on our own terms.
I’m joined by Alawna Ozoka—certified life & leadership coach, bestselling author of Awareness Put Me On, and all-around truth teller. We dive into:
✅ Finding contentment in a chaotic world 🌍✅ Why rest is resistance—especially in a world that glorifies hustle✅ The tension between performance culture and authenticity✅ How to practice self-compassion & give yourself permission to be YOU✅ The power of community, boundaries, and protecting your peace
We’re keeping it real, unfiltered, and unapologetically human in this one. If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, perfectionism, or feeling stuck in a version of yourself that no longer fits, this conversation is for you.
💬 Join the Conversation!
🔥 What’s one way you’re practicing authenticity today? Drop a comment below or leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify—we’d love to hear from you!
📌 Connect with Alawna Ozoka:Website: AlawnaOzoka.com 
IG & LinkedIn: @AlawnaOzoka
 
📚 Buy Alawna's Book, "Awareness Put Me on": https://www.awarenessputmeon.com/
 
🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share!If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to like, comment, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. And as always, keep showing up as YOU. 🙌🏾✨
🚨 Join Our Community: Don’t forget to subscribe and sign up for our email list in the YouTube description. Be part of the conversation and get exclusive content, updates, and free stickers to rep the pod!Join our email list: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f 
 
📺 Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod 
 
Ways to support the show:
👉🏾 Buy me Ko-fi ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod
 
Follow us for more:
📸 Instagram: HighlyVisiblePod
🎥 TikTok: HighlyVisiblePod
🎙️ Podcast: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod
 
Production:
Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas (@highlyvisiblepod)
Co-produced & Additional Editing by: Reggie Hall
Email: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com
 
#Authenticity #PerformingAuthenticity #Podcast #SelfAwareness #Healing #BlackJoy #RestIsResistance #Coaching #RealTalk #HighlyVisiblePodcast

How do you choose yourself in a world that asks you to sacrifice your essence? In this soulful and empowering episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, Jonathan sits down with Candice, a Dream Doula, to explore what it means to embrace your authenticity, navigate societal pressures, and birth your dreams into reality.
From the challenges of being a multi-passionate creator to redefining time and success, this conversation dives deep into the art of self-alignment. Candice shares her journey from an identity crisis to coining the transformative title of Dream Doula, helping others nurture their passions without abandoning their essence.
Together, they tackle dream blocks, discuss the revolutionary act of choosing joy, and unpack how Afro-futurism reframes time and creativity. Plus, practical advice on managing competing visions and staying rooted in your soul’s calling.
🎧 Tune in for inspiration, tools, and gems to help you step boldly into the life you deserve.
🚨 Join Our Community: Don’t forget to subscribe and sign up for our email list in the YouTube description. Be part of the conversation and get exclusive content, updates, and free stickers to rep the pod!Join our email list: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f 
Whether you’ve ever questioned if you’re truly being yourself, or are curious about the messiness of authenticity, this episode is the perfect place to start.
Connect with Candace:Website: https://www.candacethedreamdoula.com/daily-cup-of-joy 
Download Joy Hub App on Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-joy-hub/id6737627917 
Download Joy Hub App on Google Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.createcommunity.joyhub&pli=1 
 
📺 Watchon Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod 
Ways to support the show:
👉🏾 Buy me Ko-fi ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod
 
Follow us for more:
📸 Instagram: HighlyVisiblePod
🎥 TikTok: HighlyVisiblePod
🎙️ Podcast: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod
 
Production:
Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas (@highlyvisiblepod)
Co-produced & Additional Editing by: Reggie Hall
Email: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com
 
#Podcast #HighlyVisiblePodcast #Authenticity #PerformingAuthenticity

In this heartfelt episode of Highly Visible & a Little Misunderstood, Jonathan Dumas welcomes author and creative Jocelyn Chung to discuss her newly released children's book, When Love Is More Than Words. Together, they journey through themes of storytelling, generational love, and finding authentic voices amid personal growth. Jocelyn shares the origins of her book, revealing how it began as a deeply personal poem and evolved into a testament of family care and unspoken love.
The conversation flows from light-hearted memories of family and cultural idiosyncrasies to profound reflections on reclaiming one’s voice and navigating past versions of oneself with empathy. Jonathan and Jocelyn delve into their shared experiences of growth, identity, and the complex process of revisiting past work with grace.
Join them for an enriching dialogue that inspires creatives, writers, and anyone seeking to embrace the raw, unpolished beauty of their journey. Plus, get a glimpse into how intergenerational relationships shape who we are and how we love.
Listen in and reconnect with the power of storytelling, community, and self-compassion.
✨ Head to https://www.magicmind.com/highly and use code HIGHLY20 that gets you 48% off your 1st subscription or 20% off one time purchases 🧠 ✨
🚨 Join Our Community: Don’t forget to subscribe and sign up for our email list in the YouTube description. Be part of the conversation and get exclusive content, updates, and free stickers to rep the pod!Join our email list: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f 
Whether you’ve ever questioned if you’re truly being yourself, or are curious about the messiness of authenticity, this episode is the perfect place to start.
Connect with Jocelyn:Buy her book, When Love is More Than Words: https://bookshop.org/a/79820/9780593533574
Website: https://www.jocelynchung.com/ 
Instagram: @JocelynSChung - https://www.instagram.com/jocelynschung/ 
 
📺 Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod 
 
Ways to support the show:
👉🏾 Buy me Ko-fi ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod
 
Follow us for more:
📸 Instagram: HighlyVisiblePod
🎥 TikTok: HighlyVisiblePod
🎙️ Podcast: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod
 
Production:
Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas (@highlyvisiblepod)
Co-produced & Video Editing by: Reggie Hall
Email: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com
 
#Authenticity #Podcast #HighlyVisiblePodcast #PerformingAuthenticity #AuthenticityJourney #BeYourself #RealTalk #DeepDive #TrueSelf #AuthenticLiving #PodcastCommunity #StorytellingPodcast

In this soul-nourishing episode of Highly Visible & a Little Misunderstood, host Jonathan Dumas welcomes back Aizaiah Yong, a practical theologian, educator, and writer known for his profound insights on leadership and community. As they dive deep into the essence of authenticity, they explore its many layers—from personal journeys marked by multicultural heritage to the theological and philosophical dimensions of living a true life. Aizaiah opens up about his family roots, being raised in an immigrant household, and how this has shaped his vision of unity and compassion.
Together, they discuss the struggle to stay grounded amidst societal noise and how authenticity is more than just an individual pursuit; it’s a communal practice of supporting each other's growth and wholeness. They also touch on the importance of finding or creating spaces where one can be fully seen and nurtured, even in the face of societal and religious challenges.
Aizaiah shares wisdom from his work, upcoming books, and the role of spirituality as a means of reconnecting with oneself. Jonathan reflects on the importance of recognizing when your environment no longer serves your growth and shares personal stories of transformation.
This episode will leave you with practical insights, a renewed sense of hope, and the courage to embrace your unique journey. Be prepared to pause, reflect, and, most importantly, breathe.✨ Head to https://www.magicmind.com/highly and use code HIGHLY20 that gets you 48% off your 1st subscription or 20% off one time purchases 🧠 ✨
🚨 Join Our Community: Don’t forget to subscribe and sign up for our email list in the YouTube description. Be part of the conversation and get exclusive content, updates, and free stickers to rep the pod! Join our email list: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f 
Whether you’ve ever questioned if you’re truly being yourself, or are curious about the messiness of authenticity, this episode is the perfect place to start.
Connect with Rev. Dr. Aizaiah Yong:Website: Spiritedrenewal.org
Books: 
Purchase Multiracial Cosmotheandrism: A Practical Theology of Multiracial Experiences
Preorder Trauma & Renewal:Toward Spiritual, Communal, and Holistic Transformation 
Preorder Sacred Parenthood: Spiritual Practices for the Highs and Lows of Parenting 
 
📺 Watchon Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod 
 
Ways to support the show:
👉🏾 Buy me Ko-fi ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod
 
Follow us for more:
📸 Instagram: HighlyVisiblePod
🎥 TikTok: HighlyVisiblePod
🎙️ Podcast: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod
 
Production:
Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas (@highlyvisiblepod)
Co-produced & Additional Editing by: Reggie Hall
Email: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com
 
#Authenticity #Podcast #HighlyVisiblePodcast #PerformingAuthenticity #AuthenticityJourney #BeYourself #RealTalk #DeepDive #TrueSelf #AuthenticLiving #PodcastCommunity #StorytellingPodcast