August 5, 2024 • 33 mins
In this episode of the Mom Owned and Operated podcast, Rita Suzanne and Shanika Grant discuss raising a family, running a business and remembering yourself.
Shanika G is God’s daughter! As a wife to an amazing husband and a mom to two beautiful daughters, Shanika G seamlessly integrates her professional and personal life with grace and humor. She is the host of "Insecure Faith Meets Joy and Freedom” podcast. With a deep-rooted faith, Shanika G finds strength and inspiration in her relationship with God, which she shares openly with her audience.
She’s a business owner and a published author of ‘Journaling with Faithfirmations’ whose words have touched many, and her work as a licensed therapist has empowered countless individuals to navigate life’s challenges. Known for her infectious laugh and relatable nature, Shanika G brings warmth and encouragement to everyone she meets. Shanika G is committed to celebrating every win, no matter how small, and is always ready to uplift those around her.
You can connect with Shanika on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Send a text message! Email, if you want a reply though. ;)
P.S. You can find more interviews at momownedandoperated.com and learn about working with Rita at ritasuzanne.com/apply/
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is Mom Owned and Operated.
I'm Rita, suzanne, and today Ihave my guest, shanika, on with
me.
Shanika, I'm so excited to chatwith you.
Please tell everyone all aboutyou, your business and your
family.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Absolutely.
I'm excited to be here too,number one, but yes, like Rita
was saying, my name is ShanikaGrant.
My name is Shanika Grant.
I am first.
I always let people know thatI'm God's daughter.
That way it's like I'm notattached to the things that I do
, but more so just working inthe purpose that he's called me
(00:35):
to do.
So, number one, I am hisdaughter.
I am the wife of the mostamazing husband.
We've been married 12 years,jacoby, and we have two
beautiful daughters, braylon Joyand Brianna Grace, and 11 and
almost seven.
So it's exciting times aroundhere.
I do have a business as owning aprivate practice.
(00:56):
I'm a licensed clinician andlicensed in the state of South
Carolina, in Utah.
It is always a journey being inthis field and I do some
coaching as well and newlyauthored well, not as new
anymore.
My first published journalworkbook came out with that last
(01:16):
year.
It's called Journaling withFaith Formations, as well as
this podcast that I have as well, insecure Faith Meets Joy and
Freedom Started that actuallylast month, and so things are
moving, navigating all thethings and just enjoying the
journey as I do so.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Love it.
So what does a clinician do?
Speaker 2 (01:39):
So, clinician, I'm a counselor therapist very
interchangeable.
I'm a counselor therapist, veryinterchangeable.
So I work with womenspecifically that are dealing
with like transitions, stress,anxiety, all those types of
things, and I just take thisjourney with them, not
necessarily to be the expert ofsolving their problems, but to
give them a different way tolook at and process what they're
(02:01):
experiencing and helping themto think outside of what they
may have thought that obviouslymay have not been working for
them, and getting them to shiftand change their perspective in
things.
So it's been quite a journey.
I've enjoyed it, Been in thefield of mental health for over
10 years, but as a counselorthree years.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Yeah, I love that.
And then I love the book thatyou came out with and we were
talking about it briefly beforeand how I was saying.
The title Faith Formations, Ithink is just a cute play on
words, and tell us a little bitmore about that.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Absolutely so journaling with faith formations
came from an idea that I wasjust sitting on the couch.
Uh, typically I'll sit on thecouch at night in the evening,
kind of like a downtime thingfor my husband, and I will just
chill out in his man cave andsome days, if he's like watching
a sports thing, I'm like, yeah,you know, I'll google or just
kind of sit in my thoughts orwhatever the case is.
(03:06):
And so one day I was sittingthere heard the word faith
formations kind of pop in myhead and I'm like faith
formations, huh.
So I remember mentioning it tomy husband and he was like, okay
, what's that?
And I'm like, oh no, just someguy dropped in my spirit, I
don't know.
So I sat with it, didn't reallymove on it because I didn't
know how he wanted me to movewith that.
It was something that wasthought of, like I said, in 2021
(03:29):
.
And it didn't come back arounduntil 2023.
I just remember saving it in myphone to the screenshot.
I said I'm going to screenshotit because I know that it's
something and I'll just keep it.
And so I still have that day ofthe 21st of me, just a 2021 of
me, just saving that, and it waskind of like I went through a
journey of getting even in moreof a relationship with God, of
(03:53):
hearing what he says about meand understanding that nothing
that I am doing as far as theroles that I'm showing up in or
the things that I'm doing forpeople that is not what you know
makes me who I am or makes mebe the success or that I'm
worthy because I'm doing thesethings, but simply because I'm
his daughter and so me living inthat mindset and thriving in
(04:16):
that space, it was where he tookme on the journey to write this
to help other women, to be ableto know that we are not what we
do for people and you know allof these things, and even when
we go through hard moments andhard times like it does not, or
even the mistakes that we make,like that doesn't define us.
And so it was just kind of abeautiful space to write through
(04:37):
this and just have other peopleto know that just because we
have these moments, just becausewe go through the hard times,
it does not mean that we'reanything less than what God
already calls us, and he callsus his daughters or his sons, he
calls us worthy, he loves usunconditionally, like we love
our kiddos unconditionally.
If you are his child, he lovesyou unconditionally, and so I
(04:58):
felt like he wanted me to justbe another one of those people
to spread that message to somany people that need it in
certain seasons and times oftheir lives where they may
forget that at times.
So just that process was justbeautiful and as I wrote it like
he refined me and, you know,renewed my mind in doing that
too.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Yeah, so does it include affirmations that are
faith-based, or how does it work?
Speaker 2 (05:25):
So faith, we all know what affirmations are and it's
just like those words areencouraging, words that we use
to kind of help us navigatethrough the hard moments and all
of these different types ofthings.
And so what faith formationcame from was the idea that I
know that I'm able to use thesepositive affirmations to say to
myself but what God wasreminding me of was that if he
(05:45):
said it about us, we know it'strue.
And so being able to use hisword and use you know some of
the things that we use now youknow, but being able to couple
that with literal scripturesfrom the Bible to to put that
together to say these types ofthings.
So for one, one of my faithformations, one of my favorite
ones, is I will linger in God'slove, right, and so that's the
(06:07):
faith formation, to remind youthat, no matter what you're
going through like, you canliterally sit in, you know and
be in love with God and knowingthat he's going to carry you
through that, and so that faithformation is there to remind you
of that.
And then it also provides ascripture that's related
specifically to that faithformation.
And then we have somereflection questions on there
and just like a what I call likea posture reminder to remind
(06:29):
you that this is what it lookslike when you linger in God's
love, this is how he's going tobe with you, this is how he's
going to walk with you, andthings like that.
So it's sectioned off intodifferent things that we deal
with.
So a few of them are sectionedinto like daily life things that
you know just kind of happen ona daily basis.
But it also talks about grief.
It talks about fear and doubtand family structure and you
(06:53):
know, life and faith formationsrelating to that, and also
scriptures, as I said, relatingto that too, and it has a really
great, you know, a reflectionspace for you to kind of write
down some of those questions,reflection questions that I ask,
and some good journaling spacetoo on the side of that.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Yeah, that was going to be my next question.
Is it kind of like a workbookof sorts, with the lessons with
it?
Because those are my favoritetypes where you can actually
have the accompanying workbookor something where you can write
into it.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Yes, yes, it absolutely does.
So it gives you that extraspace to be able to write that.
And what I felt was reallyunique that I was trying to
figure out at first, I'm like,oh, should I put it by?
Days Like day one, you're doingthis, day two, and God, he
basically told me not to do itthat way, because for me, when I
think about journaling, um, andgoing through, you know, those
(07:46):
books and reflection questionsand things like that, sometimes
if I get in it and I'm like, oh,snap, I missed a day, I feel
like I gotta catch up, likecatch up with it.
And so this was more of whereit's not a thing that I wanted
you to rush through, like Iwanted you to take your time and
get what you needed to get andnot feel like, oh man, man, I'm
behind on this day, what am Igoing to do?
I got to catch up and do likethree in a row to be back on
(08:07):
track.
It's not that because one, I'ma mom, I'm a wife, I do all
these things.
I know life gets busy, and sothe idea behind it is it's okay,
like, take your time, but don'tget stuck where you don't go
back to it.
Go back.
Pick it up as often as you can,squeeze it in that time.
Make it.
You know intentional when youdo it, and so by not putting the
(08:29):
dates on it for me, it was justlike helpful to me to not get
stuck in trying to make sure Icheck off another task.
But it's something that I knowwhen I'm in it, that I'm taking
my time and I'm getting what Ineed from it.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Yeah, so they can work at their own pace, versus
feeling that restrictive, likewhere it's like oh shoot, I know
I feel like that too, becausesometimes you're and then you
feel bad and then sometimespeople will just quit because
they feel like they're behindand you don't want them to quit.
So I get that.
So tell us a little bit moreabout your podcast.
(09:02):
You know, I love talking topeople who have their own
podcast because I'm intriguedabout what it's all about.
What's the structure like?
Tell us more.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Absolutely so.
Insecure Faith Meets Joy andFreedom.
It again is wrapped in a spaceof me getting through and
walking through differentjourneys and it's like, once I'm
going through this, it's likewhy hold off on the good stuff,
invite other people in to getfree too.
And so that was what it was forme.
I got that, you know, from evenmy own pastor and mentor, where
(09:35):
it's like the saying is freepeople, free people.
So if you got something good,why are you holding on to it?
Help somebody else out.
And so Insecure Faith Meets Joyand Freedom came through that.
It was a space where I knew thatI was doing all these new
things and I wasn't always surewhat it would look like, how to
navigate through it.
And you know, sometimesinsecure moments and thoughts
(09:57):
will come up Right, and I had togo beyond it.
I had to kind of like pushmyself in understanding that,
even though I'm going throughthese hard moments and feeling
like imposter syndrome might hitor feeling like are people
really going to listen?
Is this really a thing I shoulddo All of that.
And what was so good for me andtherapeutic was knowing that.
(10:18):
Okay, god, what do you say?
And I felt like the push to doit and so it was like, okay, I'm
going to do this.
So it was.
It started in a space ofovercoming insecurity and it was
like, okay, so it kind ofchanges to know that even though
I may have insecure moments,even though I may deal with
(10:38):
doubt and fear of going intosomething new or whatever the
case is, I still have the faiththat if I'm supposed to be in
this space, it's going to work.
And so, in having that faith, italso brought about that joy
that the Lord gives and thefreedom to be able to make the
choice to choose to say yesevery time, even when it don't
(11:04):
feel good all the time.
And so, literally, insecureFaith Meets Joy and Freedom came
about, and it's a space and aplatform that I love to have
women of all different walks oflife to be a part, to share
their journey, share theirexperience, share their stories,
to let them know and toencourage the audience that
there's so much more that youhave to offer, so much more that
you have to give.
And you know, by holding on tothat, you never know who needs
(11:25):
that, to get their push, to getwhat they need, to get going in
the space that they're supposedto dominate and show up in.
So it's been really fruitful.
I've been excited just to do mysolo ones and then also just
interviewing people to just, youknow, learn from them, and it
could be something that theysaid that it was like oh yeah,
didn't even think about that,and so it's just been really a
(11:47):
great space to connect with somany people and, you know,
connecting through differentgroups and things like that, to
meet with people like Rita.
So it has been a really areally cool journey so far and
I'm excited to see where itcontinues to go.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
So, as you're describing your podcast, it just
makes me think of how all of usshould probably feel about our
businesses as a whole.
Right, like we talk about howsometimes we feel that imposter
syndrome, but we just keeppushing through it and then the
more that we do it, the morecomfortable we get and the more
confident we get as we continueto walk in that journey and then
(12:23):
we start to realize that ithelps us grow as a person and
helps us become you know who weare and who we're meant to be,
and I love that, and it helps usto connect with and inspire and
encourage more people along theway.
I think that that's like partof our journey of starting our
businesses and like movingforward in our businesses, no
(12:45):
matter how long it takes us toget to where we're going.
So, speaking of our businesses,when did you start your
business and how has it beenwith, you know, while you're
raising daughters?
Speaker 2 (12:59):
So it's been a journey, honestly.
I mean, I remember like myfirst business being in 2014,.
I believe I had a company thatI thought I'd call Help Granted
a play on the last name of GrantGranted Concierge and it was
where I was helping elderlywomen and pregnant women even
(13:21):
college students or thing andthe concept was basically on
those days where you have notime to go do the typical
errands and things like thatLike that was the space that I
was going to occupy and so Iwould go.
In my mind, the setup was Iwould pick up groceries if I
needed to.
If you need an oil change, Iwould go sit down do the oil
change for you.
You need a ride to yourdoctor's appointment?
(13:43):
I got you.
So that was the premise for it.
I had a few customers, but itwasn't really yielding the
results that I wanted to see,and so I was like, okay, I think
I need to shut it down and lookfor something different.
So I did that.
I took what I needed to learnin that season of just sitting
and going through like abusiness plan and structuring
(14:04):
that out, and so that was thelesson that I learned there.
And then next was a companycalled Rain Fresh, with t-shirts
, with using modern day languagebut related to scripture, and I
sold a good bit and then again,like it just wasn't the
specific thing that I needed tobe doing, but it was helpful in
the season that I was in and itgot me.
(14:26):
You know the things that Ilearned in each of those.
It got me to the space ofowning my own private practice,
which I started in 2022.
And it has gone way over thetime.
For the other two businesses,those may have lasted six months
to a year, and now I'm in 2022.
And it has gone way over thetime.
For the other two businesses,those may have lasted six months
to a year, and now I'm in 2024with the business.
And it has its ebbs and flow,of course, because during the
(14:47):
summer months or during holidaysand things like that, you know,
customers are like I want tosave my money, I want to buy
this, I want to go on vacation,all these things Right.
So just remembering that in theback of my head as I journey
through it and just making sureI prioritize what money flow and
all of that and stayingorganized looks like, and so
that has been very helpful.
And then, as I'm doing that,just adding on other things and
(15:09):
staying in the vein of, okay,god, what is next, what can I
help to do to build legacy andgenerational wealth for my
family and things like that, andso, as I'm doing these things
and learning systems and all ofthat, I invite my girls in just
to see that process of like, ok,this system is called this, so
I go here and I log in here andI take this here and I save this
here and this produces this.
(15:30):
Oh, you see how to edit, youput that just enough to get that
there.
So when I do that and I'mworking on something and I'm
like, oh my gosh, this is sohard, I can't figure it, I have
my 11 year old like, oh, mommy,why don't you try, you know,
doing this or moving this?
And we literally did thatyesterday to get an edit, like
in to end, perfectly on one ofthe podcast episodes that I was
doing.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
And when it did, we both looked at each other and
screamed and clap hands and allof that.
So just to be able to have themin that space while I'm doing
it.
It is incredible and I'menjoying it with them.
I love it.
Yeah, Summers are always morechallenging, I think, especially
when your kids are younger,because you have to kind of
(16:10):
navigate what to do with themand how to figure out, like how
to work your business but alsospend the time that with them
and do the activities that theywant to do and have fun and
allow them to.
You know, just just go and dobut also monitor them while
working.
It was just, I remember when mykids were younger, it was just
(16:33):
such a, you know, a juggle foryou know.
So, yeah, I, I, my kids, areall teenagers now, so luckily I
don't have that same struggleanymore, but you know, I, I
remember it vividly.
Yeah, the I'm bored and and allof that stuff.
(16:54):
So tell us a little bit moreabout how you work with clients.
Do you work with them likeone-to-one or do you have group
programs or what is that about?
Speaker 2 (17:06):
So it just kind of depends and I have my private
practice, but then I also workfor a company part-time as well,
where I'm like a contract thatthinks I put in my own hours and
if someone wants to sign up fora slot they can do that, and so
within that I also work withsome of the companies that they
have to do like workshops forgroup presentations as well.
(17:26):
So I'm able to do that and kindof facilitate those types of
things.
And then as far as like myprivate practice right now, I do
a lot of one-on-ones orsometimes couple counseling,
depending on the type ofreferral it is and what they're
looking for.
So it just kind of depends onwhat the client may be looking
for.
But it's a lot more ofone-on-ones and I'm all virtual
(17:46):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Love it.
So, as I mentioned earlier, oneof the things that I really
want to focus on this year isfiguring out how to help other
moms like create more efficiencyin their lives and businesses.
So what are you using right nowthat a tool or app or anything
(18:07):
that you want to recommend toeveryone that they need to
utilize in their life or theirbusiness?
Speaker 2 (18:14):
So one thing for me has definitely been Google
Calendar and being able to usethe color coding.
It is top tier for me becauseif you're like me, you're also
wanting to make sure that you'rebudgeting the way you need to,
but also getting what you needto make sure that you're
producing how you need to aswell too.
(18:34):
So being able to utilize andknow what I need to kind of use
to navigate through differentthings.
So if I'm recording differentthings, I'm using StreamYard,
because one of the actualpersons that I have gone for an
interview she gave me that ideabecause I'm like Zoom is 40
minutes and I talk a lotsometimes and I go over and I
(18:56):
don't want it to end, and shewas like girl StreamYard you get
up to five hours of just beingable to record and then you can
download it and so once you dothat, you can delete it, get
your space back.
So StreamYard is definitely onethat I love to utilize, but
then, like I said, utilizing theGoogle Calendar to be able to
(19:16):
color code so I can put in allof my podcast interviewing times
and I'm able to share thatstuff with my husband so that
way he's aware and he knowswhat's on the calendar.
So if there's an event orsomebody's asking can we come to
this or whatever the case is,he can easily look too.
So we both have having accessto that is really helpful.
(19:36):
And because I'm a mom andbecause I have all these things
going through my head, I use mytimer for all the things so I
can stay on track.
If I know, I told my daughters,okay, give me an hour to record
and edit some of this stuff orwhatever.
Whatever, I'm setting a timer.
So that way I'm intentionalwith what I'm doing, so that way
it does not interrupt theirflow either, because, yeah, they
(19:59):
do get bored too.
Like it's summertime, theydon't want to just sit and watch
tv all day.
If you're my kids, like,they're very, very active, they
want to play, or they want to gosomewhere, they want to go
outside, or they, mommy, can youplay dolls, mommy?
You know what I mean.
So I am very intentional withjust making sure that I have the
time set up where I'm settingthose timers, where I'm using my
Google calendar, where I'musing the things that I need for
(20:21):
my podcast or even for mysessions with clients.
Google Meet has been a greatspace for meeting with clients
as well too.
So you know, I have thosethings and as I learn, I add
them to my little tool thing andI anybody that's like what's
new good, what are you using?
Like, what do you use for thisor whatever.
I'm happy to help, becausesomeone helped me.
(20:41):
And, oh, and one of my favoriteis Canva.
Canva, it's 10 out of 10.
I recommend so, get you a Canvaaccount.
They have the free versions aswell.
I pay for pro so I can get thelittle extra stuff, but
absolutely Canva has been toptier with just creating,
learning different ways tocreate all kinds of things, so I
love it.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Yeah, so I was presenting at a local workshop
last week and we were talkingabout my business and my and
then my podcast came up and oneof the audience members asked me
what do I use to record?
And, as you know, we're usingGoogle meet and then I will
(21:24):
download and if I need to justcrop or anything, I'll use
Camtasia to crop it off, but andthen I'll upload to Buzzsprout
for like processing and all ofthat stuff.
But when I said that I used touse Zoom to record but one of
the talks that I give all thetime is about profit leaks and
(21:48):
figuring out where businessesare leaking their profits, and
oftentimes they're leaking theirprofits by paying for double
the tools, right.
And so the reason why Iswitched to using Google Meet
instead of Zoom was because whyam I paying for Google, all the
Google Suite, and then I'mpaying again for Zoom, when
(22:14):
Google Meet does all of the samething and it's included in my
Google workspace, it transcribes, it downloads all of the
meetings straight to my GoogleDrive.
For me it does all of thethings and it saves me money.
Like no brainer, and like you, Ihave multiple calendars going
(22:35):
in my Google calendar, colorcoded so that I can see,
especially for the podcast, Ihave one calendar specifically
that shows whose episode iscoming out on what day and what
number episode it is, and if Ineed to make edits like let's
say that there was an incidentin the middle of our episode
(22:56):
that if I had to crop it outlike somebody's battery went
dead last week and I need to cutout that space where her
episode went dead so I wouldjust put in there in that
parentheses edit, you know, andthen I'll go back and make the
edits to it.
So I would just put in there inthat parentheses edit, you know
, and then I'll go back and makethe edits to it.
So I have that specificcalendar, like for my podcast,
(23:20):
and then I have differentcalendars for different things,
all color coded, just like you.
So again, I'm just sayingGoogle is the one, yes, yes,
okay.
Speaker 2 (23:38):
So next I want to talk about what are you
listening to or reading besideyour own book?
Speaker 1 (23:44):
okay, I'm listening to journaling first.
We love faith formations andyou can find it on Amazon.
The link of it is going to bein the description.
But what else are we listeningto right now?
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Okay, so it sounds cliche, because everybody I used
to say this all the time Likethey were like you know what?
What's your favorite, what'syour favorite book?
And when I was young and ateenager and it wasn't at the
time because I'm like, oh mygosh, it's so big and boring, oh
my gosh.
But now literally it's in myroom with me as I'm podcasting
(24:19):
so I can do quick referenceswhen I need to, but it's just,
it's just applicable, applicableto every single thing that I'm
going through.
Like I can find scripture toback what I'm going through.
So it has been one of thegreatest things that I've just
fell in love with again.
And going from beginning topick up on things that I'm like,
oh my gosh, it was it's fire inhere, like I want to know what
(24:42):
happens next.
So it really has becomesomething that you know every
day I'm making sure to get thatin.
But then, more recently, mysister-in-law she kind of
started like this little bookclub reading type of thing where
Battle of the Mind by JoyceMeyer was one of the books that
she introduced to us and so beenkind of on again, off again,
(25:06):
reading through that too andjust knowing like, literally,
the battlefield is literally themind.
We go through so muchunnecessary stress and all of
that just because we're in ourmind, and so it's kind of a
space where it's just likehelping you get out of your mind
you know so much andchallenging those thoughts and
things like that.
So those two have kind of beenwhere I'm at right now.
(25:26):
As far as like listening toright now.
It's a lot of Disney stuffbecause it's summer, but also
that's what the kiddos want tohear, but also podcasts just
relating to like coaching,counseling things.
I even listen to other podcaststo kind of get tips on that too
and just kind of hearing theflow from different perspectives
(25:48):
.
And one is it's called BostonBlessed Up.
I love kind of listening tothat one too Business and all of
that.
Like it's just helpful.
It just kind of goes into allthe different things that I'm
kind of walking through.
So if you look at my Applepodcast library, it's a mix of
all things You're like girl,yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
I think it's good, though, to have a variety of
different listening interests,right, instead of just sticking
to one to one thing, so that'sgreat, okay.
So finally, and my favoritething, is to talk about
self-care, and so, shanika I Imentioned to you before like one
(26:32):
of the reasons why I startedthis podcast was to really
because I was lacking in my ownself-care, just due to my
personal issues that were goingon in my life, and so I started
this podcast because I needed tofigure out, like, how were
other moms doing?
What I felt like I was failingat, which was raising a family
(26:53):
and running a business, but alsotaking care of themselves, like
remembering themselves.
So I'd love to know what areyou doing just for you?
Okay, yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:04):
That's one of my favorite questions, because I
always tell my clients that'sthe thing.
Like I make it mandatory, like,okay, you're telling me all
these things you're doing forall these other people, how are
you pouring back into yourself?
What are you doing for you?
And so I have come to a placeto I think I've always kind of
been like a self-care personbecause I'm like I gotta feel
(27:27):
good, like I don't like doingall these things for everybody
and not taking care of myself,which don't get me wrong.
I love helping people, I lovedoing what I'm, you know purpose
to do, but also like the metime too.
And so now what I like to tellpeople is you know, self-care,
it doesn't have to be related togetting your nails and your
(27:47):
feet done all the time.
It's whatever it is to bringback the rejuvenation and, you
know, just being energized onyour own.
And so for me it looks differentdepending on where I'm at, like
, if it's a lot of work stuffand podcast heavy stuff or
whatever that is, then sometimesmy self-care is literally
snuggling up on the couch withmy husband and we watch, we
(28:10):
binge watch little shows on TV,and I feel good because we're
not having to talk aboutanything specifically.
Sometimes we're literally justlaying there, I'm on him or I'm
on the other couch and we'rewatching TV.
That's self-care for me attimes.
Sometimes it's on a Fridayafter work and everybody's just
gotten through the week.
We do dance parties with thegirls, like we're literally
(28:32):
listening to some Disney musicor some Hannah Montana, you know
, party in the USA or somethinglike that, just to get us moving
.
So sometimes that's what myself-care looks like.
And then sometimes I'm like Ijust want to sit on my bed, go
upstairs, sit on the bed, wigglemy toes and watch something on
TV or just scroll social mediaor whatever the case is.
Or it's setting candles in thebathroom and I'm laying in the
(28:55):
tub and I have a little relaxingmusic and my husband will come
in and check on me.
You need anything?
You need something to drink?
No, I'm good.
But they know if it's that time,they respect it enough.
And because I tell all of themas well, we're going to respect
boundaries and we're going tomake sure that we all get what
we need, they respect it enough.
And because I tell all of themas well, like we're going to
(29:16):
respect boundaries and we'regoing to make sure that we all
get what we need and so they allknow it, like we're going to
take the time and Just be aloneor whatever.
The case is.
Yeah, so it just kind of looksdifferent depending on what's
happening around me or what Ifeel like I need to get through
whatever week or whatever dayI've had, what I feel like I
need, you know, to get through,whatever week or whatever day
I've had.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
Yeah, I love that you mentioned that.
It's not necessarily, you know,getting your pedicures and all
of those things.
I like to just always remindpeople that it's great to get
your hair done and your nailsdone and all of those things.
Those are great aspects ofself-care.
But self-care can be as simpleas having five minutes alone in
the bathroom by yourself.
(29:59):
It can be sitting in the carwith yourself for that extra few
minutes, just to recenter andjust to realign.
It could be like journaling,could be meditating, could be
praying, it could be whatever,just anything that's going to
help you to reconnect,especially because we live in a
(30:20):
world that is somewhatdisconnected.
It can be so much disconnectionso, even though we're all
connected, we're disconnected.
Exactly, I hear you yeah, sowhere can you?
Where are you hanging outonline Like what is your
favorite platform?
Where are you?
What are you doing?
Speaker 2 (30:38):
Oh man, I think Instagram has been where I'm
able to get those crazy littlesounds and kind of make things
pop and get people to check meout and things like that.
So Instagram, I definitelywould say, would probably be
like my number one.
And then Facebook, because it'sa lot of family that I'm able
to connect with that don'tnecessarily get on all the other
(30:59):
social media platforms, sothat's kind of where I'm able to
connect with family and dothings like that.
And then TikTok is just a goodmix of all of it.
So I would definitely say thosethree, and then YouTube,
because my podcast will connectto that as well.
So those four platforms arewhere you can find me.
I don't know if you want me todo my handles or if you want to
add those.
Speaker 1 (31:21):
You can say them if you'd like, and then of course,
they'll be in the show notes aswell.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
Okay, Well, my personal Shanika, just me being
me and seeing some of my familydate nights and things that my
children do at TheRealShanikaG.
And then my podcast would be atInsecureFaithMeetsJoy the
letter N and then freedom.
It wouldn't let me do the N, itwas too long with all of that
(31:48):
in there.
SoInsecureFaithMeetsJoyNFreedom is
where you'll find me onInstagram, and they are the same
on TikTok as well, and thenFacebook would just be Shanika B
Grant or Insecure Faith MeetsJoy in Freedom.
Speaker 1 (32:01):
Perfect.
Well, thank you so much.
And then the book everybody canfind on Amazon and it's under
Faith Formations there and theycan purchase it.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
Yes, yes, they can purchase it on Amazon.
Journaling with FaithFormations.
I also have a website it's thatsquare site thing but it's long
but it includes a free littlekind of coupled with the journal
that you'll be able to utilizeas well If you buy it off of
that site.
I don't like to give it awayit's a freebie, but it's really
cool it with the journal thatyou'll be able to utilize as
well if you buy it off of thatsite.
I don't like to give it away asa freebie, but it's really cool
.
It couples the journal reallywell.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
Love it.
Okay, and the link for thatwill be in the show notes as
well.
So thank you so much.
It's been such a pleasuregetting to know you and thank
you so much for being a guestAbsolutely, thank you for the
opportunity I.
This is Mom Owned and Operated.
I'm Rita, suzanne, and today Ihave my guest, shanika, on with
me.
Shanika, I'm so excited to chatwith you.
Please tell everyone all aboutyou, your business and your
family.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Absolutely.
I'm excited to be here too,number one, but yes, like Rita
was saying, my name is ShanikaGrant.
My name is Shanika Grant.
I am first.
I always let people know thatI'm God's daughter.
That way it's like I'm notattached to the things that I do
, but more so just working inthe purpose that he's called me
(00:35):
to do.
So, number one, I am hisdaughter.
I am the wife of the mostamazing husband.
We've been married 12 years,jacoby, and we have two
beautiful daughters, braylon Joyand Brianna Grace, and 11 and
almost seven.
So it's exciting times aroundhere.
I do have a business as owning aprivate practice.
(00:56):
I'm a licensed clinician andlicensed in the state of South
Carolina, in Utah.
It is always a journey being inthis field and I do some
coaching as well and newlyauthored well, not as new
anymore.
My first published journalworkbook came out with that last
(01:16):
year.
It's called Journaling withFaith Formations, as well as
this podcast that I have as well, insecure Faith Meets Joy and
Freedom Started that actuallylast month, and so things are
moving, navigating all thethings and just enjoying the
journey as I do so.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Love it.
So what does a clinician do?
Speaker 2 (01:39):
So, clinician, I'm a counselor therapist very
interchangeable.
I'm a counselor therapist, veryinterchangeable.
So I work with womenspecifically that are dealing
with like transitions, stress,anxiety, all those types of
things, and I just take thisjourney with them, not
necessarily to be the expert ofsolving their problems, but to
give them a different way tolook at and process what they're
(02:01):
experiencing and helping themto think outside of what they
may have thought that obviouslymay have not been working for
them, and getting them to shiftand change their perspective in
things.
So it's been quite a journey.
I've enjoyed it, Been in thefield of mental health for over
10 years, but as a counselorthree years.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Yeah, I love that.
And then I love the book thatyou came out with and we were
talking about it briefly beforeand how I was saying.
The title Faith Formations, Ithink is just a cute play on
words, and tell us a little bitmore about that.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Absolutely so journaling with faith formations
came from an idea that I wasjust sitting on the couch.
Uh, typically I'll sit on thecouch at night in the evening,
kind of like a downtime thingfor my husband, and I will just
chill out in his man cave andsome days, if he's like watching
a sports thing, I'm like, yeah,you know, I'll google or just
kind of sit in my thoughts orwhatever the case is.
(03:06):
And so one day I was sittingthere heard the word faith
formations kind of pop in myhead and I'm like faith
formations, huh.
So I remember mentioning it tomy husband and he was like, okay
, what's that?
And I'm like, oh no, just someguy dropped in my spirit, I
don't know.
So I sat with it, didn't reallymove on it because I didn't
know how he wanted me to movewith that.
It was something that wasthought of, like I said, in 2021
(03:29):
.
And it didn't come back arounduntil 2023.
I just remember saving it in myphone to the screenshot.
I said I'm going to screenshotit because I know that it's
something and I'll just keep it.
And so I still have that day ofthe 21st of me, just a 2021 of
me, just saving that, and it waskind of like I went through a
journey of getting even in moreof a relationship with God, of
(03:53):
hearing what he says about meand understanding that nothing
that I am doing as far as theroles that I'm showing up in or
the things that I'm doing forpeople that is not what you know
makes me who I am or makes mebe the success or that I'm
worthy because I'm doing thesethings, but simply because I'm
his daughter and so me living inthat mindset and thriving in
(04:16):
that space, it was where he tookme on the journey to write this
to help other women, to be ableto know that we are not what we
do for people and you know allof these things, and even when
we go through hard moments andhard times like it does not, or
even the mistakes that we make,like that doesn't define us.
And so it was just kind of abeautiful space to write through
(04:37):
this and just have other peopleto know that just because we
have these moments, just becausewe go through the hard times,
it does not mean that we'reanything less than what God
already calls us, and he callsus his daughters or his sons, he
calls us worthy, he loves usunconditionally, like we love
our kiddos unconditionally.
If you are his child, he lovesyou unconditionally, and so I
(04:58):
felt like he wanted me to justbe another one of those people
to spread that message to somany people that need it in
certain seasons and times oftheir lives where they may
forget that at times.
So just that process was justbeautiful and as I wrote it like
he refined me and, you know,renewed my mind in doing that
too.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Yeah, so does it include affirmations that are
faith-based, or how does it work?
Speaker 2 (05:25):
So faith, we all know what affirmations are and it's
just like those words areencouraging, words that we use
to kind of help us navigatethrough the hard moments and all
of these different types ofthings.
And so what faith formationcame from was the idea that I
know that I'm able to use thesepositive affirmations to say to
myself but what God wasreminding me of was that if he
(05:45):
said it about us, we know it'strue.
And so being able to use hisword and use you know some of
the things that we use now youknow, but being able to couple
that with literal scripturesfrom the Bible to to put that
together to say these types ofthings.
So for one, one of my faithformations, one of my favorite
ones, is I will linger in God'slove, right, and so that's the
(06:07):
faith formation, to remind youthat, no matter what you're
going through like, you canliterally sit in, you know and
be in love with God and knowingthat he's going to carry you
through that, and so that faithformation is there to remind you
of that.
And then it also provides ascripture that's related
specifically to that faithformation.
And then we have somereflection questions on there
and just like a what I call likea posture reminder to remind
(06:29):
you that this is what it lookslike when you linger in God's
love, this is how he's going tobe with you, this is how he's
going to walk with you, andthings like that.
So it's sectioned off intodifferent things that we deal
with.
So a few of them are sectionedinto like daily life things that
you know just kind of happen ona daily basis.
But it also talks about grief.
It talks about fear and doubtand family structure and you
(06:53):
know, life and faith formationsrelating to that, and also
scriptures, as I said, relatingto that too, and it has a really
great, you know, a reflectionspace for you to kind of write
down some of those questions,reflection questions that I ask,
and some good journaling spacetoo on the side of that.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Yeah, that was going to be my next question.
Is it kind of like a workbookof sorts, with the lessons with
it?
Because those are my favoritetypes where you can actually
have the accompanying workbookor something where you can write
into it.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Yes, yes, it absolutely does.
So it gives you that extraspace to be able to write that.
And what I felt was reallyunique that I was trying to
figure out at first, I'm like,oh, should I put it by?
Days Like day one, you're doingthis, day two, and God, he
basically told me not to do itthat way, because for me, when I
think about journaling, um, andgoing through, you know, those
(07:46):
books and reflection questionsand things like that, sometimes
if I get in it and I'm like, oh,snap, I missed a day, I feel
like I gotta catch up, likecatch up with it.
And so this was more of whereit's not a thing that I wanted
you to rush through, like Iwanted you to take your time and
get what you needed to get andnot feel like, oh man, man, I'm
behind on this day, what am Igoing to do?
I got to catch up and do likethree in a row to be back on
(08:07):
track.
It's not that because one, I'ma mom, I'm a wife, I do all
these things.
I know life gets busy, and sothe idea behind it is it's okay,
like, take your time, but don'tget stuck where you don't go
back to it.
Go back.
Pick it up as often as you can,squeeze it in that time.
Make it.
You know intentional when youdo it, and so by not putting the
(08:29):
dates on it for me, it was justlike helpful to me to not get
stuck in trying to make sure Icheck off another task.
But it's something that I knowwhen I'm in it, that I'm taking
my time and I'm getting what Ineed from it.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Yeah, so they can work at their own pace, versus
feeling that restrictive, likewhere it's like oh shoot, I know
I feel like that too, becausesometimes you're and then you
feel bad and then sometimespeople will just quit because
they feel like they're behindand you don't want them to quit.
So I get that.
So tell us a little bit moreabout your podcast.
(09:02):
You know, I love talking topeople who have their own
podcast because I'm intriguedabout what it's all about.
What's the structure like?
Tell us more.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Absolutely so.
Insecure Faith Meets Joy andFreedom.
It again is wrapped in a spaceof me getting through and
walking through differentjourneys and it's like, once I'm
going through this, it's likewhy hold off on the good stuff,
invite other people in to getfree too.
And so that was what it was forme.
I got that, you know, from evenmy own pastor and mentor, where
(09:35):
it's like the saying is freepeople, free people.
So if you got something good,why are you holding on to it?
Help somebody else out.
And so Insecure Faith Meets Joyand Freedom came through that.
It was a space where I knew thatI was doing all these new
things and I wasn't always surewhat it would look like, how to
navigate through it.
And you know, sometimesinsecure moments and thoughts
(09:57):
will come up Right, and I had togo beyond it.
I had to kind of like pushmyself in understanding that,
even though I'm going throughthese hard moments and feeling
like imposter syndrome might hitor feeling like are people
really going to listen?
Is this really a thing I shoulddo All of that.
And what was so good for me andtherapeutic was knowing that.
(10:18):
Okay, god, what do you say?
And I felt like the push to doit and so it was like, okay, I'm
going to do this.
So it was.
It started in a space ofovercoming insecurity and it was
like, okay, so it kind ofchanges to know that even though
I may have insecure moments,even though I may deal with
(10:38):
doubt and fear of going intosomething new or whatever the
case is, I still have the faiththat if I'm supposed to be in
this space, it's going to work.
And so, in having that faith, italso brought about that joy
that the Lord gives and thefreedom to be able to make the
choice to choose to say yesevery time, even when it don't
(11:04):
feel good all the time.
And so, literally, insecureFaith Meets Joy and Freedom came
about, and it's a space and aplatform that I love to have
women of all different walks oflife to be a part, to share
their journey, share theirexperience, share their stories,
to let them know and toencourage the audience that
there's so much more that youhave to offer, so much more that
you have to give.
And you know, by holding on tothat, you never know who needs
(11:25):
that, to get their push, to getwhat they need, to get going in
the space that they're supposedto dominate and show up in.
So it's been really fruitful.
I've been excited just to do mysolo ones and then also just
interviewing people to just, youknow, learn from them, and it
could be something that theysaid that it was like oh yeah,
didn't even think about that,and so it's just been really a
(11:47):
great space to connect with somany people and, you know,
connecting through differentgroups and things like that, to
meet with people like Rita.
So it has been a really areally cool journey so far and
I'm excited to see where itcontinues to go.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
So, as you're describing your podcast, it just
makes me think of how all of usshould probably feel about our
businesses as a whole.
Right, like we talk about howsometimes we feel that imposter
syndrome, but we just keeppushing through it and then the
more that we do it, the morecomfortable we get and the more
confident we get as we continueto walk in that journey and then
(12:23):
we start to realize that ithelps us grow as a person and
helps us become you know who weare and who we're meant to be,
and I love that, and it helps usto connect with and inspire and
encourage more people along theway.
I think that that's like partof our journey of starting our
businesses and like movingforward in our businesses, no
(12:45):
matter how long it takes us toget to where we're going.
So, speaking of our businesses,when did you start your
business and how has it beenwith, you know, while you're
raising daughters?
Speaker 2 (12:59):
So it's been a journey, honestly.
I mean, I remember like myfirst business being in 2014,.
I believe I had a company thatI thought I'd call Help Granted
a play on the last name of GrantGranted Concierge and it was
where I was helping elderlywomen and pregnant women even
(13:21):
college students or thing andthe concept was basically on
those days where you have notime to go do the typical
errands and things like thatLike that was the space that I
was going to occupy and so Iwould go.
In my mind, the setup was Iwould pick up groceries if I
needed to.
If you need an oil change, Iwould go sit down do the oil
change for you.
You need a ride to yourdoctor's appointment?
(13:43):
I got you.
So that was the premise for it.
I had a few customers, but itwasn't really yielding the
results that I wanted to see,and so I was like, okay, I think
I need to shut it down and lookfor something different.
So I did that.
I took what I needed to learnin that season of just sitting
and going through like abusiness plan and structuring
(14:04):
that out, and so that was thelesson that I learned there.
And then next was a companycalled Rain Fresh, with t-shirts
, with using modern day languagebut related to scripture, and I
sold a good bit and then again,like it just wasn't the
specific thing that I needed tobe doing, but it was helpful in
the season that I was in and itgot me.
(14:26):
You know the things that Ilearned in each of those.
It got me to the space ofowning my own private practice,
which I started in 2022.
And it has gone way over thetime.
For the other two businesses,those may have lasted six months
to a year, and now I'm in 2022.
And it has gone way over thetime.
For the other two businesses,those may have lasted six months
to a year, and now I'm in 2024with the business.
And it has its ebbs and flow,of course, because during the
(14:47):
summer months or during holidaysand things like that, you know,
customers are like I want tosave my money, I want to buy
this, I want to go on vacation,all these things Right.
So just remembering that in theback of my head as I journey
through it and just making sureI prioritize what money flow and
all of that and stayingorganized looks like, and so
that has been very helpful.
And then, as I'm doing that,just adding on other things and
(15:09):
staying in the vein of, okay,god, what is next, what can I
help to do to build legacy andgenerational wealth for my
family and things like that, andso, as I'm doing these things
and learning systems and all ofthat, I invite my girls in just
to see that process of like, ok,this system is called this, so
I go here and I log in here andI take this here and I save this
here and this produces this.
(15:30):
Oh, you see how to edit, youput that just enough to get that
there.
So when I do that and I'mworking on something and I'm
like, oh my gosh, this is sohard, I can't figure it, I have
my 11 year old like, oh, mommy,why don't you try, you know,
doing this or moving this?
And we literally did thatyesterday to get an edit, like
in to end, perfectly on one ofthe podcast episodes that I was
doing.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
And when it did, we both looked at each other and
screamed and clap hands and allof that.
So just to be able to have themin that space while I'm doing
it.
It is incredible and I'menjoying it with them.
I love it.
Yeah, Summers are always morechallenging, I think, especially
when your kids are younger,because you have to kind of
(16:10):
navigate what to do with themand how to figure out, like how
to work your business but alsospend the time that with them
and do the activities that theywant to do and have fun and
allow them to.
You know, just just go and dobut also monitor them while
working.
It was just, I remember when mykids were younger, it was just
(16:33):
such a, you know, a juggle foryou know.
So, yeah, I, I, my kids, areall teenagers now, so luckily I
don't have that same struggleanymore, but you know, I, I
remember it vividly.
Yeah, the I'm bored and and allof that stuff.
(16:54):
So tell us a little bit moreabout how you work with clients.
Do you work with them likeone-to-one or do you have group
programs or what is that about?
Speaker 2 (17:06):
So it just kind of depends and I have my private
practice, but then I also workfor a company part-time as well,
where I'm like a contract thatthinks I put in my own hours and
if someone wants to sign up fora slot they can do that, and so
within that I also work withsome of the companies that they
have to do like workshops forgroup presentations as well.
(17:26):
So I'm able to do that and kindof facilitate those types of
things.
And then as far as like myprivate practice right now, I do
a lot of one-on-ones orsometimes couple counseling,
depending on the type ofreferral it is and what they're
looking for.
So it just kind of depends onwhat the client may be looking
for.
But it's a lot more ofone-on-ones and I'm all virtual
(17:46):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Love it.
So, as I mentioned earlier, oneof the things that I really
want to focus on this year isfiguring out how to help other
moms like create more efficiencyin their lives and businesses.
So what are you using right nowthat a tool or app or anything
(18:07):
that you want to recommend toeveryone that they need to
utilize in their life or theirbusiness?
Speaker 2 (18:14):
So one thing for me has definitely been Google
Calendar and being able to usethe color coding.
It is top tier for me becauseif you're like me, you're also
wanting to make sure that you'rebudgeting the way you need to,
but also getting what you needto make sure that you're
producing how you need to aswell too.
(18:34):
So being able to utilize andknow what I need to kind of use
to navigate through differentthings.
So if I'm recording differentthings, I'm using StreamYard,
because one of the actualpersons that I have gone for an
interview she gave me that ideabecause I'm like Zoom is 40
minutes and I talk a lotsometimes and I go over and I
(18:56):
don't want it to end, and shewas like girl StreamYard you get
up to five hours of just beingable to record and then you can
download it and so once you dothat, you can delete it, get
your space back.
So StreamYard is definitely onethat I love to utilize, but
then, like I said, utilizing theGoogle Calendar to be able to
(19:16):
color code so I can put in allof my podcast interviewing times
and I'm able to share thatstuff with my husband so that
way he's aware and he knowswhat's on the calendar.
So if there's an event orsomebody's asking can we come to
this or whatever the case is,he can easily look too.
So we both have having accessto that is really helpful.
(19:36):
And because I'm a mom andbecause I have all these things
going through my head, I use mytimer for all the things so I
can stay on track.
If I know, I told my daughters,okay, give me an hour to record
and edit some of this stuff orwhatever.
Whatever, I'm setting a timer.
So that way I'm intentionalwith what I'm doing, so that way
it does not interrupt theirflow either, because, yeah, they
(19:59):
do get bored too.
Like it's summertime, theydon't want to just sit and watch
tv all day.
If you're my kids, like,they're very, very active, they
want to play, or they want to gosomewhere, they want to go
outside, or they, mommy, can youplay dolls, mommy?
You know what I mean.
So I am very intentional withjust making sure that I have the
time set up where I'm settingthose timers, where I'm using my
Google calendar, where I'musing the things that I need for
(20:21):
my podcast or even for mysessions with clients.
Google Meet has been a greatspace for meeting with clients
as well too.
So you know, I have thosethings and as I learn, I add
them to my little tool thing andI anybody that's like what's
new good, what are you using?
Like, what do you use for thisor whatever.
I'm happy to help, becausesomeone helped me.
(20:41):
And, oh, and one of my favoriteis Canva.
Canva, it's 10 out of 10.
I recommend so, get you a Canvaaccount.
They have the free versions aswell.
I pay for pro so I can get thelittle extra stuff, but
absolutely Canva has been toptier with just creating,
learning different ways tocreate all kinds of things, so I
love it.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Yeah, so I was presenting at a local workshop
last week and we were talkingabout my business and my and
then my podcast came up and oneof the audience members asked me
what do I use to record?
And, as you know, we're usingGoogle meet and then I will
(21:24):
download and if I need to justcrop or anything, I'll use
Camtasia to crop it off, but andthen I'll upload to Buzzsprout
for like processing and all ofthat stuff.
But when I said that I used touse Zoom to record but one of
the talks that I give all thetime is about profit leaks and
(21:48):
figuring out where businessesare leaking their profits, and
oftentimes they're leaking theirprofits by paying for double
the tools, right.
And so the reason why Iswitched to using Google Meet
instead of Zoom was because whyam I paying for Google, all the
Google Suite, and then I'mpaying again for Zoom, when
(22:14):
Google Meet does all of the samething and it's included in my
Google workspace, it transcribes, it downloads all of the
meetings straight to my GoogleDrive.
For me it does all of thethings and it saves me money.
Like no brainer, and like you, Ihave multiple calendars going
(22:35):
in my Google calendar, colorcoded so that I can see,
especially for the podcast, Ihave one calendar specifically
that shows whose episode iscoming out on what day and what
number episode it is, and if Ineed to make edits like let's
say that there was an incidentin the middle of our episode
(22:56):
that if I had to crop it outlike somebody's battery went
dead last week and I need to cutout that space where her
episode went dead so I wouldjust put in there in that
parentheses edit, you know, andthen I'll go back and make the
edits to it.
So I would just put in there inthat parentheses edit, you know
, and then I'll go back and makethe edits to it.
So I have that specificcalendar, like for my podcast,
(23:20):
and then I have differentcalendars for different things,
all color coded, just like you.
So again, I'm just sayingGoogle is the one, yes, yes,
okay.
Speaker 2 (23:38):
So next I want to talk about what are you
listening to or reading besideyour own book?
Speaker 1 (23:44):
okay, I'm listening to journaling first.
We love faith formations andyou can find it on Amazon.
The link of it is going to bein the description.
But what else are we listeningto right now?
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Okay, so it sounds cliche, because everybody I used
to say this all the time Likethey were like you know what?
What's your favorite, what'syour favorite book?
And when I was young and ateenager and it wasn't at the
time because I'm like, oh mygosh, it's so big and boring, oh
my gosh.
But now literally it's in myroom with me as I'm podcasting
(24:19):
so I can do quick referenceswhen I need to, but it's just,
it's just applicable, applicableto every single thing that I'm
going through.
Like I can find scripture toback what I'm going through.
So it has been one of thegreatest things that I've just
fell in love with again.
And going from beginning topick up on things that I'm like,
oh my gosh, it was it's fire inhere, like I want to know what
(24:42):
happens next.
So it really has becomesomething that you know every
day I'm making sure to get thatin.
But then, more recently, mysister-in-law she kind of
started like this little bookclub reading type of thing where
Battle of the Mind by JoyceMeyer was one of the books that
she introduced to us and so beenkind of on again, off again,
(25:06):
reading through that too andjust knowing like, literally,
the battlefield is literally themind.
We go through so muchunnecessary stress and all of
that just because we're in ourmind, and so it's kind of a
space where it's just likehelping you get out of your mind
you know so much andchallenging those thoughts and
things like that.
So those two have kind of beenwhere I'm at right now.
(25:26):
As far as like listening toright now.
It's a lot of Disney stuffbecause it's summer, but also
that's what the kiddos want tohear, but also podcasts just
relating to like coaching,counseling things.
I even listen to other podcaststo kind of get tips on that too
and just kind of hearing theflow from different perspectives
(25:48):
.
And one is it's called BostonBlessed Up.
I love kind of listening tothat one too Business and all of
that.
Like it's just helpful.
It just kind of goes into allthe different things that I'm
kind of walking through.
So if you look at my Applepodcast library, it's a mix of
all things You're like girl,yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
I think it's good, though, to have a variety of
different listening interests,right, instead of just sticking
to one to one thing, so that'sgreat, okay.
So finally, and my favoritething, is to talk about
self-care, and so, shanika I Imentioned to you before like one
(26:32):
of the reasons why I startedthis podcast was to really
because I was lacking in my ownself-care, just due to my
personal issues that were goingon in my life, and so I started
this podcast because I needed tofigure out, like, how were
other moms doing?
What I felt like I was failingat, which was raising a family
(26:53):
and running a business, but alsotaking care of themselves, like
remembering themselves.
So I'd love to know what areyou doing just for you?
Okay, yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:04):
That's one of my favorite questions, because I
always tell my clients that'sthe thing.
Like I make it mandatory, like,okay, you're telling me all
these things you're doing forall these other people, how are
you pouring back into yourself?
What are you doing for you?
And so I have come to a placeto I think I've always kind of
been like a self-care personbecause I'm like I gotta feel
(27:27):
good, like I don't like doingall these things for everybody
and not taking care of myself,which don't get me wrong.
I love helping people, I lovedoing what I'm, you know purpose
to do, but also like the metime too.
And so now what I like to tellpeople is you know, self-care,
it doesn't have to be related togetting your nails and your
(27:47):
feet done all the time.
It's whatever it is to bringback the rejuvenation and, you
know, just being energized onyour own.
And so for me it looks differentdepending on where I'm at, like
, if it's a lot of work stuffand podcast heavy stuff or
whatever that is, then sometimesmy self-care is literally
snuggling up on the couch withmy husband and we watch, we
(28:10):
binge watch little shows on TV,and I feel good because we're
not having to talk aboutanything specifically.
Sometimes we're literally justlaying there, I'm on him or I'm
on the other couch and we'rewatching TV.
That's self-care for me attimes.
Sometimes it's on a Fridayafter work and everybody's just
gotten through the week.
We do dance parties with thegirls, like we're literally
(28:32):
listening to some Disney musicor some Hannah Montana, you know
, party in the USA or somethinglike that, just to get us moving
.
So sometimes that's what myself-care looks like.
And then sometimes I'm like Ijust want to sit on my bed, go
upstairs, sit on the bed, wigglemy toes and watch something on
TV or just scroll social mediaor whatever the case is.
Or it's setting candles in thebathroom and I'm laying in the
(28:55):
tub and I have a little relaxingmusic and my husband will come
in and check on me.
You need anything?
You need something to drink?
No, I'm good.
But they know if it's that time,they respect it enough.
And because I tell all of themas well, we're going to respect
boundaries and we're going tomake sure that we all get what
we need, they respect it enough.
And because I tell all of themas well, like we're going to
(29:16):
respect boundaries and we'regoing to make sure that we all
get what we need and so they allknow it, like we're going to
take the time and Just be aloneor whatever.
The case is.
Yeah, so it just kind of looksdifferent depending on what's
happening around me or what Ifeel like I need to get through
whatever week or whatever dayI've had, what I feel like I
need, you know, to get through,whatever week or whatever day
I've had.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
Yeah, I love that you mentioned that.
It's not necessarily, you know,getting your pedicures and all
of those things.
I like to just always remindpeople that it's great to get
your hair done and your nailsdone and all of those things.
Those are great aspects ofself-care.
But self-care can be as simpleas having five minutes alone in
the bathroom by yourself.
(29:59):
It can be sitting in the carwith yourself for that extra few
minutes, just to recenter andjust to realign.
It could be like journaling,could be meditating, could be
praying, it could be whatever,just anything that's going to
help you to reconnect,especially because we live in a
(30:20):
world that is somewhatdisconnected.
It can be so much disconnectionso, even though we're all
connected, we're disconnected.
Exactly, I hear you yeah, sowhere can you?
Where are you hanging outonline Like what is your
favorite platform?
Where are you?
What are you doing?
Speaker 2 (30:38):
Oh man, I think Instagram has been where I'm
able to get those crazy littlesounds and kind of make things
pop and get people to check meout and things like that.
So Instagram, I definitelywould say, would probably be
like my number one.
And then Facebook, because it'sa lot of family that I'm able
to connect with that don'tnecessarily get on all the other
(30:59):
social media platforms, sothat's kind of where I'm able to
connect with family and dothings like that.
And then TikTok is just a goodmix of all of it.
So I would definitely say thosethree, and then YouTube,
because my podcast will connectto that as well.
So those four platforms arewhere you can find me.
I don't know if you want me todo my handles or if you want to
add those.
Speaker 1 (31:21):
You can say them if you'd like, and then of course,
they'll be in the show notes aswell.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
Okay, Well, my personal Shanika, just me being
me and seeing some of my familydate nights and things that my
children do at TheRealShanikaG.
And then my podcast would be atInsecureFaithMeetsJoy the
letter N and then freedom.
It wouldn't let me do the N, itwas too long with all of that
(31:48):
in there.
SoInsecureFaithMeetsJoyNFreedom is
where you'll find me onInstagram, and they are the same
on TikTok as well, and thenFacebook would just be Shanika B
Grant or Insecure Faith MeetsJoy in Freedom.
Speaker 1 (32:01):
Perfect.
Well, thank you so much.
And then the book everybody canfind on Amazon and it's under
Faith Formations there and theycan purchase it.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
Yes, yes, they can purchase it on Amazon.
Journaling with FaithFormations.
I also have a website it's thatsquare site thing but it's long
but it includes a free littlekind of coupled with the journal
that you'll be able to utilizeas well If you buy it off of
that site.
I don't like to give it awayit's a freebie, but it's really
cool it with the journal thatyou'll be able to utilize as
well if you buy it off of thatsite.
I don't like to give it away asa freebie, but it's really cool
.
It couples the journal reallywell.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
Love it.
Okay, and the link for thatwill be in the show notes as
well.
So thank you so much.
It's been such a pleasuregetting to know you and thank
you so much for being a guestAbsolutely, thank you for the
opportunity I.
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