Not Grieving, Just Noticing: Catching Feelings for a Ghost

Some stories sit in your chest for years, quietly waiting to be told.

This one wasn’t easy.

It’s not even about grief, not exactly.

It’s about absence.

And the ache of what was never offered.

Better Said Than Written · Not Grieving, Just Noticing: Catching Feelings for a Ghost.

What would you do if someone from your past, someone you never really knew, ended up in the hospital… and you suddenly felt something? This episode of Better Said Than Written began with a simple text from my sister.

By the end, it became a reflection on complicated family ties, unexpected emotions, and the kind of longing we rarely talk about out loud. It’s not about closure.

It’s about noticing the silence.

And realizing how loud it really is.

Quote Highlight: “You can’t miss what you never had.” — Hunter S. Thompson

Want to share your story?

If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment or share your thoughts here → tamikacody.com/contact

Or leave a voice message or send a text to 2O2.57O.4554 Follow or tag Tamika on Twitter: @tamikacody

Kieta Rivens: Knocking on Virtual Doors

When the coronavirus pandemic forced nearly everyone to isolate, shelter in place, limit social gatherings, and work from home, the extra downtime gave many people time to think about what’s next for their lives, to think about that next opportunity, that next idea. 

And people were definitely putting their thoughts into action. The Census Bureau reported that in 2020, more than 4 million new businesses were created in the United States - the highest the country has on record.  

Before the pandemic, people would attend networking events and industry conferences to share their goals, ideals, and aspirations to find the perfect window of opportunity to take the giant leap. 

By mid-March 2020, in-person networking came to a screeching halt. But that didn’t stop Kieta Rivens, founder of the natural hair care company, Verified Beauty. 

In 2020, Essence magazine reported that Black consumers are switching from general products to those that specifically cater to them. As a result, the Black hair care industry in the United States pulled in nearly $2 billion in 2018. 

Kieta, a mother, wife, and a full-time lead infant teacher in North Carolina launched her company amid the pandemic.

In this episode, Kieta shares how she knocked on virtual doors to spread the word of her new business and the one affirmation that kept her going.

Better Said Than Written · Kieta Rivens: Knocking on Virtual Doors

You can find Kieta spreading the word about her business at the following:

Website: https://verifiedbeautyllc.com/ 

Instagram: @verifiedbeautyllc 

Facebook: Verified Beauty LLC

Customer Service: 704.840.2219

Internet Not an Option, Now What?

Would you know how to fill your day if you didn't have the Internet? Well, there was a time when most of us relied on creativity to occupy our day without the help of the World Wide Web. 

An article penned by Emma Rathbone gently reminded readers of what it was like to create dance moves in the spur of the moment, whip out a notebook to create a piece of artwork, and to flip through a booklet to identify a precious stone.  

I believe the short essay, which can be found in the pages of The New Yorker, actually sounds Better Said Than Written.

Take a listen to Before the Internet.

So here's a question for you. How would you occupy your day if the Internet wasn't an option?

Send your views to TCsViews@gmail.com or leave your comments below.

Work Culture: Exposure Can't Pay the Bills

If you're a creative trying to make a living out of your craft, you're probably familiar with the following story. 

Creatives aren't the only ones being paid in exposure. Entrepreneurs are also asked to give their products and services away for free.  

In this episode of Better Said Than Written, pastry chef and But-A-Cake owner Matha Figaro joins us to explain why being paid in exposure just isn't enough.

Take a listen ... 

Have you been offered exposure as compensation? E-mail your views to TCsViews@gmail.com or leave your comments in the box below.

And if you're interested in experiencing the
But-A-Cake addiction visit the online store right here.

Related Stories:

• Motivational Monday: Stop Giving Your Art Away
  
• Looking for work via LinkedIn
  
• Emerging Artist: Paula Boggs
  
• Behind the Canvas: Maeva Fouche

As a #WomanInHer40s I've Learned

Every decade of life is considered a milestone. 

• Remember when you turned 10 you were so happy to be out of the single digits.
• Then when you hit your 20s, you celebrated making it out of your teenage years with your dignity intact.
• As you crept into your 30s, you believed you had life all figured out. 

But then the time machine of life pushed you into your 40s and panic start to set in because you think life is playing a trick on you. 

In this episode of Better Said Than Written, I share what life has taught me in my four decades of life.

So what has life taught you? Engage in the Twitter campaign, #WomanInHer40s, or E-mail your views to TCsViews@gmail.com. You can also leave your comments in the box below.

Related Stories: 

• Women Over 40: A Man's Perspective
• 26 Life Lessons I learned by the Age of 42

Young Voices: Let's Talk About Vinyl Digging

Welcome back to Better Said Than Written, the podcast supplement of Artz of Culturez where I make a personal connection with today's trending topics.

This is a special episode where my son has taken over the show. When I heard we were going to discuss vinyl records I just had to say yes. And so I handed him the mic.

We talked about how I got into vinyl digging, my top four vinyl records, and how my son has an ear for music and a love for Sade.

Take a listen...




Related Stories:

• Emerging Artist: Jones

• Emerging Artist: Billie Black

• Emerging Artist: Paula Boggs

• Emerging Artist: Doug Seegers
• Diggin' in the Crates: A Tribe Called Quest
• Diggin in the Crates: It's Record Store Day

Sidebar Conversation: Shrinking Your Carbon Footprint

Journalists share their views on environmental sustainability living

To kick off the second season of the podcast Better Said Than Written, episode one is an extension of the article Hyperlocal Newsroom Hype.  

So what are hyperlocal newsrooms?

Hyperlocal newsrooms provide informative news on a local level. Now, don't think about Eyewitness News at 5, 7 and 11pm. Think about news that big networks and major publications don’t have time to cover. For example, air and water quality reports, residential development that may affect property taxes, or stories about local residents making their homes environmentally friendly.

Turns out environmental sustainability is a topic more journalists want to learn about. Several journalists shared their views in the following podcast ...  Hit the play button to hear their insights.

  

Holistic Care vs Conventional Medicine

(Kelarius Finex)

The holistic health profession is on the rise. Many Americans are seeking out holistic and spiritual healers as an alternative to cure their ailments without subjecting their bodies to possible side effects from prescription drugs and going under the knife on the operating table. But how do you know when it's time to seek conventional medical care vs holistic care?

In the ninth episode of Better Said Than Written, I had an opportunity to sit down with Holistic Health Practitioner, Kelarius Finex*, to discuss the benefits of holistic care and knowing when to seek medical treatment. 

Click the blue play button to take a listen …




Podcast Details:

The Enigma and Allure in Baltimore

Welcome back to Better Said Than Written, the podcast supplement of Artz of Culturez where I make a personal connection with today's trending topics.

In this episode I tried to wrap my head around what's taking place in Baltimore, Md. With the help of Emrld Swmp's member, universe, I was able to get a different perspective from a poem he shared for the people of Baltimore. 

Normally, you would just click the green play button below to hear my take and the poem, but in this installment, I decided to include my write up, which includes the identity of the police officers who were responsible for Freddie Gray's death. 

When America first got wind of Freddie Gray's death by the hands of Baltimore police officers, some citizens were convinced that his death was another case of racism. However, as I mentioned in a previous post, some people of Baltimore believes Gray's death has nothing to do with race but instead class. (see: Baltimore: It's Not About Race)

The word classism is defined as – prejudice or discrimination based on class. And according to classism.org, classism is held in place by a system of beliefs and cultural attitudes that ranks people according to economic status, family lineage, job status, level of education, and other divisions. This sounds about right in the story I initially alerted you to that Steve Inskeep shared on NPR.

Baltimore's chief prosecutors has since charged the officers with the death of Gray. Once the six police officers identities were revealed, most critics became silent about the talk of racism.

Daily Poem: If the World Was Crazy

April is National Poetry Month. So, why not celebrate with a poem a day?

Today's poem is by Shel Silverstein - If The World Was Crazy, is from Silverstein's book of poems, Where the Sidewalk Ends. ... Read by TC

More poetry posts...

Better Said Than Written: Lack of Intimacy in the Black Community

Welcome back to Better Said Than Written, the podcast supplement of Arts of Cultures where I make a personal connection with today's trending topics.

Rare Disorder Activist, Kim Ramsey is back! Ramsey, who works in the medical field, graces us with her knowledge to discuss the lack of intimacy in the Black community, Blacks in S&M, and other sexual discussions that Black culture keeps under wraps. Grab those headphones, click the blue play, and enjoy the show.

*Incase you missed the first part... tune into: Kim Ramsey Pt. 1

(Art work by DWats)

What you've missed on Better Said Than Written:

Episode 05: Young Voices Discuss Social Injustice of Mike Brown

Episode 04: Introducing Kim Ramsey Pt. 1

Episode 03: How To Be Black

Episode 02: Domestic Violence - What Are You Doing?

Episode 01: Things I Tell My Black Son

Want to be a guest and join in on the conversation? Email your requests to TCsViews@gmail.com.

2014 Top 10 Blog Posts for Arts of Cultures

It’s been quite a year for Arts of Cultures. 

The blog started out with stories about emerging artists in the multicultural art scene, with the likes of Maeva Fouche and Miki Turner. 

It then branched out and gave tips on how to build your art career. Whether you’re a painter, author, singer or a member of any part of the creative world, there was a tip just for you when Art Tip Tuesdays were posted. 

And as issues in American culture started to become the main topic of conversation on social media, digital news and everyday chit chat, Arts of Cultures peeled back the layers and shed light on controversial discussions. From Shonda Rimes being called an Angry Black Woman to ongoing talks of how social injustice continues to be a problem in America when it comes to people of color and the human race.

Young Voices Discuss Social Injustice of Mike Brown

Welcome back to Better Said Than Written, the podcast supplement of Arts of Cultures where I make a personal connection with today's trending topics.

In this episode I sat down with three young Black American adults who shared their thoughts and feelings about the social injustice of Mike Brown, aggressive police officers, and how American Civil Rights has taken several steps backwards.

Click the play button to hear how these students plan on stepping up and making a change. 
   

Be sure to stay tuned for Arts of Cultures coverage of the Dec. 13, 2014 March to Washington.

Related stories: 

• Things I Tell My Black Son
• American Civil Rights Ripples Backwards
• Artists Takes a Stand for Mike Brown

Better Said Than Written: Introducing Kim Ramsey Pt. 1

Welcome back to Better Said Than Written, the podcast supplement of Arts of Cultures where I make a personal connection with today's trending topics.

In this episode I sat down with Rare Disorder Activist, Kim Ramsey, to discuss the Bill Cosby rape allegations, domestic violence and how the media continues to put negative stories in the Black community front and center. What about the good stories that we don't hear?



What you've missed on Better Said Than Written:

- Episode 1 - Things I Tell My Black Son

- Episode 2 - Domestic Violence - What Are You Doing?

- Episode 3 - How to Be Black

Better Said Than Written: How To Be Black

How To Be Black
by
Baratunde Thurston

Welcome back to Better Said Than Written, the podcast supplement of Arts of Cultures where I make a personal connection with today's trending topics.

In this episode you'll get a brief rundown on what's trending in my social media feed and I finally share my views on the book How To Be Black. Yes, there's a book on that! Click play and take a listen.



What you've missed on Better Said Than Written:


- Episode 1 - Things I Tell My Black Son

- Episode 2 - Domestic Violence - What Are You Doing?

Better Said Than Written: Domestic Violence - What Are You Doing?

Welcome back to Better Said Than Written, the podcast supplement of Arts of Cultures where I make a personal connection with today's trending topics. 

By now you should be all caught up on the news about what really took place in the elevator between Ray Rice, and his then fiancé, Janay Palmer. Everyone has an opinion about what Janay should have done, and what she should do. Everyone is now an expert on domestic violence. People on social media are the bravest ones to share their honest opinions and comments but no one is doing anything. 

Click the play button before you answer the question ... What Are You Doing to help victims of domestic violence? 


What you've missed on Better Said Than Written:

Episode 1 - Things I Tell My Black Son

Better Said Than Written: Things I Tell My Black Son

*This story has been edited for a correction... see below.
Welcome to the first podcast supplement to Arts of Cultures - Better Said Than Written. This is where I make a personal connection with today's trending topics. The story that is still on most people's minds is the tragic death of Mike Brown, who was gunned down by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo. Mike Brown, as you know, was not armed. This could have been your son, your nephew, your brother. This could have been my son. So what do we tell our children? Click play to hear: Things I Tell My Black Son.

 


• Related story: Artists Takes a Stand for Mike Brown 

* Correction: Renisha McBride was NOT a victim of police brutality or social injustice. (see story here)
Here is the video of the Black Woman who was...