

The more I learn about myself and continue to experience awakenings, I realize that I really have to do the work. One part of doing the work for me is being honest and true to where I am in my journey. I get anxious and many times I don't know how to control it. Doing the work means finding solutions instead of harping on the problem.
When I learned that CBD can help calm anxieties initially, I didn't believe the hype. It seemed unrealistic. But then I tried Radio.
Turn On Your Radio | Meet Your Next Favorite CBD Brand
Radio
What's in a name you ask? The team at Radio researched the frequencies of humans and nature after pondering on Nikola Tesla's quote, "If you wish to understand the Universe think of energy, frequency, and vibration." In this revelation they found that by eliminating certain outside frequencies that interfered in our bodies, we would have greater resistance toward disease.
Using simple, high quality ingredients from organically certified suppliers, Radio products are everything you need and nothing you don't. From the hemp extract to the hinoki oil, Radio's offerings are designed to be easily digestible and accessible. They offer a variety of products like tinctures, topicals and vitamins for high achieving individuals seeking natural wellness. You can even shop by benefits – focus+nootropics, mood+rest and discomfort+relief.
My Experience with Radio CBD Oil Tincture
Joce Blake/xoNecole
Radio says, "Easy Now is a functional tincture formulated with 500mg of hemp extract oil and botanical terpenes to help you feel more relaxed and less stressed during the most hectic of times." That is, these times we are currently living in. The combination of the global pandemic, the social justice uprising, the presidential election, the retrograde of Mercury and personal trials has made for a year full of anxiety and depression for me. And there's no way to truly explain what that feels like.
I want to be OK but more days than not I just don't want to be at all.
People often ask, "How are you?" and my programmed response is "good", but I am learning through therapy that pretending to be good to appease others only keeps peace around me and not inside me.
I had never done a tincture before so I had to do my research on the difference between CBD oil and CBD tinctures. The main difference is how they are formed and extracted. Because tinctures include a alcohol base, it is easily absorbable by the body. The Easy Now tincture uses the sublingual drops method so I used the measurements on the dropper to drop the liquid underneath my tongue and I kept it there for about one minute before swallowing. The Blueberry Lavender flavor is interesting but it works.
The first time I tried it, I was expecting instant relief but it did take a couple of hours before I felt relaxed. I also found that taking the tincture multiple times throughout the day every time I felt anxious created a less worried mind. Overall, I really enjoy this product and it has helped to take the edge off on days when I feel like I might lose it. It's actually amazing the way CBD provides a calming and relaxing feeling without feeling high or inebriated.
I also got the Edge Off - Soothe tincture for my grandmother, who experiences immense physical pain since having two strokes. She is also a fan.
10/10 - I highly recommend Radio's products!
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
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Colman Domingo’s Career Advice Is A Reminder That Our Words Shape Our Reality
When it comes to life, we are always here for a good reminder to shift our mindsets, and Colman Domingo just gave us one we didn't know we needed.
In a resurfaced clip from an appearance at NewFest shared as a repost via Micheaux Film Festival, the Emmy award winner dropped a gem on how he has navigated his decades-spanning career in Hollywood. The gem in question? Well, Colman has never identified with "struggle" in his career. Let that sit.
Colman Domingo On Not Claiming Struggle
"I’ve never said that this career was tough. I’ve never said it was difficult. I’ve never said it was hard," Colman said. "Other people would say that—‘oh, you're in a very difficult industry. It's very hard to get work and book work.’ I’m like, I’ve never believed that."
Instead of allowing himself to be defined by other people's projections about their perceptions of what the industry is or was, Colman dared to believe differently even if his reality was playing catch up with his dreams:
"Like Maya Angelou said words are things. And if you believe that, then that's actually what it is. Actually I've just never believed it. Someone told me some years ago, they said, 'I remember you were, you're a struggling actor.' I'm like, 'I don't.'"
"I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living..."
He continued:
"Even when I was bartending and hustling and not having opportunities or anything, I never believed that I was struggling because I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living and creating and being curious."
Colman’s philosophy of attaching to living instead of struggle has blossomed into an enduring career. He first made his mark on stage in acclaimed Broadway productions before transitioning to the screen, where his star began to rise in the 2010s following his role as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. From there, his presence only grew, landing memorable supporting roles in If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and the hit series Euphoria.
In more recent years, Colman has stepped fully into the spotlight with standout leading performances in Rustin and Sing Sing, both of which earned him widespread critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.
With all that said, Colman's advice is no doubt powerful, especially for those who are chasing their dreams, building something from the ground up, or have question marks about what's next in their careers. Words shape our realities, and how we speak about our journeys even in passing matters.
Words Create Our Reality & Colman Is Living Proof
"I tell young people that. To remember the words that you say about yourself and your career are true. So, I choose to make it full of light and love and it's interesting and every day I'm going to learn something new even if it looks like I don't have what I want but it's important to be in the moment... you really build on the moments moment to moment.
"And you're looking back at your career as I've been in it for what 33 years and you're like, 'Wow, that's what I've been doing.' And I've stayed strong to that so I think that is truly my advice."
Let this be your sign to give your path a reframe. When the path you're on feels uncertain, the journey is still unfolding. Like Colman said: "I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living."
That's a Black king right there.
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