She's So Lucky

She's So Lucky

She’s So Lucky is a chart-topping weekly podcast dedicated to women who create their own luck against all odds. Join host Les Alfred and special guests for compelling conversations that will inspire you to live life on your terms. Les and her guests are giving you a sneak peek into the minds and habits of successful women sharing their wins, losses, and lessons that you can apply to your own life. From entrepreneurs, to creatives, to wellness experts, She’s So Lucky is a space for women to feel free and inspired to live up to their fullest potential. Each episode will help you uncover new ways to create your own luck and harness the magic you already have.

  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    You’re Not Behind. You’re Just in the Wrong Room

    #317: If you’ve ever felt like you were doing everything “right” in your career but still felt stuck, this is your episode. Today I’m joined by Naomi Wright and Krystal Vega, the powerhouse best friends and co-founders of Fortune & Forks — a community and social club built by and for women navigating their careers, connections, and calling.

    We talk about they went from meeting as interns at BET to launching and scaling a thriving movement. They share how they grew from curating intimate dinners to building a cross-city network of 500+ women, a foundation, and game-changing partnerships — all without losing the plot (or each other).


    This episode is for you if:

    • You’re looking to build genuine relationships in your industry.
    • You’ve been wondering how to actually find your people.
    • You need motivation to help you start something before you’re ready.


    We talk about…

    • How to actually network across
    • Why good people still win in business
    • How Naomi and Krystal grew Fortune & Forks in its early stages
    • How to be a real villager in your friendships + community
    • Navigating entrepreneurship during an economic downturn


    Episode Links:


    Sponsors:

    • Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code SSL20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item. Exclusions apply, offer ends December 31, 2025.
    • LMNT: Get a free sample pack with purchase at drinklmnt.com/balancedles.
    • Quince: Quince is the go-to for elevated basics at affordable prices. Visit quince.com/balancedles for free shipping and 365-day returns.
    • Heifer International: Spread some luck by funding a loan at heifer.org/lucky.
    • Kale Health: If you’re interested in a career in wellness, check out the CN-P certification with Kale Health. Use code LUCKY for $1500 off the program.
    • Nutrafol: For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code BALANCEDLES.


    Connect with Les:


    Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.


    Produced by Dear Media.


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    4 November 2025, 8:00 am
  • 58 minutes 19 seconds
    How to Make Peace with Your Past and Move Forward with Power ft. Nia Sioux

    #316: Nia Sioux has been in the public eye since she was 9 years old. Most people first met her on Dance Moms, where she became known for her talent, her grace under pressure — and yes, for often being put at the bottom of the pyramid.

    Now at 24, Nia is reclaiming her story — on her own terms.

    In this conversation, we talk about what it’s like to be perceived before you even know who you are, and how you begin to unpack that when the whole world thinks they already know your story. Nia opens up about the emotional process of writing her upcoming memoir Bottom of the Pyramid, what it took to revisit her childhood through adult eyes, and how she found closure by using her own voice.

    This is an honest, layered conversation about resilience, identity, and what it means to own the narrative of your life, especially when that narrative has long been shaped by others.

    Nia reminds us that reclaiming your narrative isn't just empowering — it's healing.


    In this episode, we cover:

    • Nia’s emotional journey of revisiting her childhood on reality TV
    • What it means to be “the underdog” — and how that label lingers
    • How the title Bottom of the Pyramid became a reclamation, not a resignation
    • Learning how to tell your full story, even when people only want to hear certain parts
    • Releasing the pressure to prove yourself (and who that performance is really for)
    • What she's learned from watching the show as an adult — and what her mom taught her about strength


    Episode Links:


    Sponsors:

    • Jones Road Beauty: Modern-day makeup that’s clean, strategic, and multifunctional for effortless routines. Use code LUCKY at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a free Cool Gloss with your first purchase!
    • Quince: Quince is the go-to for elevated basics at affordable prices. Visit quince.com/balancedles for free shipping and 365-day returns.
    • Shopify: Start your online business with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial at shopify.com/balancedblackgirl.
    • Ritual: Get 25% off your first month of Ritual when you visit ritual.com/balanced and add Essential Protein today.
    • Grüns: Grüns are comprehensive nutrition packed into a snack pack a day. Visit gruns.co and use the code LUCKY for 52% off your first order.
    • MOSH Bars: Support your brain health with MOSH Bars. Head to moshlife.com/lucky to get 20% off plus FREE shipping on the best sellers Trial Pack or the plant-based trial pack.
    • Mood: Visit mood.com and use code LUCKY for 20% off your first order of functional gummies.


    Connect with Les:


    Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.


    Produced by Dear Media.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    28 October 2025, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 5 seconds
    How to Win When People Underestimate You with Taylor Rooks

    #315: If you’ve ever felt underestimated, this episode is for you.

    Taylor Rooks is one of the most respected sports journalists in the game — and not because she plays it safe. She's built her career on asking fearless questions, trusting her gut, and refusing to shrink herself to fit into anyone else's idea of who she should be.

    In this conversation, Taylor and I talk about what it means to be a woman who takes up space and why the pressure to be palatable isn’t worth giving in to.

    We talk about ambition, integrity, reinvention, and the deep self-trust it takes to keep showing up when you have a big vision for your life. Taylor doesn’t just bring her voice to the table — she brings her values. And you can feel it in everything she does.


    We talk about:

    • How the experiences of women in sports mirror broader societal beliefs
    • Why it’s powerful not to respond to every critic
    • The art of asking better questions (in life and interviews)
    • Knowing your value, even when others want you to shrink
    • Building a career that reflects your values, not just your resume
    • How to trust yourself when the opinions of others become too loud


    Episode Links:


    Sponsors:

    • LMNT: LMNT is a zero sugar electrolyte drink mix with a research-backed ratio of electrolytes. To try it out go to drinkLMNT.com/balancedles to receive a free LMNT sample pack with any purchase.
    • Cotton: Cotton is the fabric of our lives. Learn more at thefabricofourlives.com.
    • Bumble: Start your love story on Bumble.
    • Vimergy: Vimergy makes liquid vitamins that are clean, potent, and actually easy for your body to absorb. Visit vimergy.com and use code LUCKY for 20% off your first order.
    • Headspace: Visit Headspace.com/solucky to try headspace for free for 30 days.
    • IM8: IM8’s Daily Ultimate Essentials is my go-to drink for getting all the nutrients I need. Go to IM8health.com/lucky and use code LUCKY for a free welcome kit, five free travel packs, and 10% off your order.


    Connect with Les:



    Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.


    Produced by Dear Media.



    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    21 October 2025, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Women Are Expected to Do It All — What Happens When We Stop? with Nina Westbrook

    #314: If you've ever felt like you're supposed to be everything for everyone—while somehow also building a career, maintaining relationships, and taking care of yourself—this conversation is for you.

    Nina Westbrook is a licensed marriage and family therapist, founder of the mental wellness app Nebbi, host of the Do Tell Relationship Podcast, and a wife and mom of three. She's also someone who knows what it's like to push through challenging seasons including launching a business while navigating a debilitating injury.

    We talk about what happens when you stop making yourself smaller to keep everyone else comfortable. Nina shares how she navigates the tension between being fully present for her family and building something that matters to her, why difficult conversations don't have to feel like confrontations, and what it actually looks like to let people see your full humanity—even when it's messy. If you've been shrinking yourself to make room for everyone else, or waiting for the "right time" to prioritize what you actually need, this episode will leave you feeling inspired to show up for yourself fully.

    We also talk about:

    • Recognizing when you're in a difficult season vs. when it's just your life
    • How to teach the people in your life that you're a whole person, not just their support system
    • Why prioritizing yourself first isn't selfish
    • How to build self-care moments into small moments of your day


    Resources:


    Sponsors:

    • Grüns: Grüns are comprehensive nutrition packed into a snack pack a day. Visit gruns.co and use the code LUCKY for 52% off your first order.
    • Mood: Visit mood.com and use code LUCKY for 20% off your first order of functional gummies.
    • Nutrafol: Get stronger, healthier hair with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering $10 OFF your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to nutrafol.com and enter promo code BALANCEDLES.
    • Quince: Quince is the go-to for elevated basics at affordable prices. Visit quince.com/balancedles for free shipping and 365-day returns.
    • Shopify: Start your online business with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial at shopify.com/balancedblackgirl.


    Keep in touch:


    Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.


    Produced by Dear Media.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    14 October 2025, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 25 seconds
    Creating Connection in a Digital World: Shan Boodram on Friendship, Modern Love and Algorithmic Attachment

    #313: If you’ve ever felt like you’re not measuring up to where you “should” be—whether that’s finding partnership by a certain age, building lasting friendships as an adult, or navigating the expectations society throws at you—this episode is for you.

    Today, I’m sitting down with the always insightful Shan Boodram to talk about the real journey of connecting—from romance, to friendship and everywhere in between. Shan doesn’t shy away from the messy, inconvenient parts of connection—whether it’s dating in a world that prizes efficiency, how algorithms influence our decisions and attachment styles, or the challenges of learning how to nurture deep friendships later in life.

    We dive into why your age or relationship timeline doesn’t define your worth, how to find and nurture love that truly sees you, and why inconvenience might be the secret ingredient to building bonds that last. Shan shares her wisdom on how to show up authentically in both romantic and platonic relationships, break away from rigid dating rules, and live a big, joy-filled life at any stage.

    If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s too late for new love or genuine friendships—or if you’re simply craving more meaningful connection—hit play on this episode.

    We talk about:

    • How online algorithms are impacting our attachment styles and preferences
    • Navigating dating and romance without falling into the efficiency trap
    • The truth about cultivating friendships as an adult
    • The power of showing up, even when it’s inconvenient
    • Letting go of dating rules and loving by your own standards


    Links & Resources:


    Sponsors:

    • LMNT: LMNT is a zero sugar electrolyte drink mix with a research-backed ratio of electrolytes. To try it out go to drinkLMNT.com/balancedles to receive a free LMNT sample pack with any purchase.
    • Vionic Shoes: Use code LUCKY at checkout for 15% off your entire order at vionicshoes.com.
    • Bumble: Start your love story on Bumble
    • Grüns: Grüns are comprehensive nutrition packed into a snack pack a day. Visit gruns.co and use the code LUCKY for 52% off your first order.
    • Vimergy: Vimergy: Vimergy makes liquid vitamins that are clean, potent, and actually easy for your body to absorb. Visit vimergy.com and use code LUCKY for 20% off your first order.


    Stay in Touch


    Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.


    Produced by Dear Media.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    7 October 2025, 7:00 am
  • 57 minutes 50 seconds
    How to Know When It’s Time to Leave—Your Job, Your Partner, or Your Old Self with Nicole Walters

    #312: If you’ve ever felt like you’re too loud, too soft, too opinionated, too emotional, too ambitious—or just too much—this episode is for you.

    Nicole Walters is back on the podcast, and in true Nicole fashion, she’s not holding anything back. After walking away from a 12-year marriage, becoming a mom again at 40, writing a bestselling memoir, and rebranding her platform, she’s learned exactly what it costs to become your truest self. And why it’s always worth it.

    We talk about what happens when you stop downplaying yourself to stay likable, why clarity often comes after loss, and how to stop shrinking yourself just because it makes other people more comfortable.

    If you’ve been tiptoeing around your own evolution—afraid of how it might look, or who it might upset—you need to press play on this episode.

    We talk about:

    • The cost of shrinking to be palatable
    • Using your platform when your values are louder than your fear
    • The difference between responding and reacting
    • Her postpartum experience and why having a baby at 40 changed everything
    • Being misunderstood and doing it anyway
    • How to know when it’s time to leave—your job, your relationship, your old self


    Links & Resources:


    Sponsors:

    • Vimergy: Vimergy makes liquid vitamins that are clean, potent, and actually easy for your body to absorb. Visit vimergy.com and use code LUCKY for 20% off your first order.
    • Headspace: Visit Headspace.com/solucky to try headspace for free for 30 days.
    • Ritual: Support a balanced gut microbiome with Ritual’s Synbiotic+. Get 25% off your first month at ritual.com/balanced.


    Keep in Touch:


    Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.


    Produced by Dear Media.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    30 September 2025, 7:00 am
  • 46 minutes 19 seconds
    What Would Beyoncé Do?

    #311: Have you ever hit a wall—mentally, creatively, emotionally—and wondered how you were going to get through it? I have, many times.


    When I’m low on motivation or facing something that feels bigger than me, I’ve started asking myself a simple question: What would Beyoncé do? Not in a “she’s perfect” kind of way, but because she embodies discipline, reinvention, and showing up even when it’s hard.

    In this solo episode, I’m sharing why Beyoncé is one of my go-to sources of inspo when I need to recalibrate, plus a few lessons I’ve pulled from her rehearsals, performances, and fearless approach to business. Whether it’s a new creative project, a tough decision, or just getting through a blah week—channeling a little Bey energy can go a long way.

    If you’ve been needing a mindset reset or a reminder that you’ve got this (even when it feels like you don’t) this episode is for you.


    Links:


    Sponsors:

    • Today’s episode is brought to you by Bumble, the go-to dating app for finding love. Start your love story on Bumble. #bumblepartner
    • Cotton: Cotton is the fabric of our lives. Learn more at thefabricofourlives.com.
    • Nutrafol: Get stronger, healthier hair with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering $10 OFF your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to nutrafol.com and enter promo code BALANCEDLES.
    • Grüns: Grüns are comprehensive nutrition packed into a snack pack a day. Visit gruns.co and use the code LUCKY for 52% off your first order.
    • Mood: Visit mood.com and use code LUCKY for 20% off your first order of functional gummies.


    Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.


    Produced by Dear Media.


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    23 September 2025, 7:00 am
  • 58 minutes 51 seconds
    How to Be the Love of Your Own Life with Simi Muhumuza

    #310: Self-love is a popular topic, but what does it actually mean in practice?

    In this episode I’m joined by content creator and creative powerhouse Simi Muhumuza for a conversation that’s honest, affirming, and full of softness. We talk about what it means to return to yourself, especially after a year that asked you to slow down and start over.

    Simi shares why 2024 and 2025 have been life-changing years, chronicling her journey of releasing fear, surrendering to joy, and trusting her body again. We also talk about her breast reduction experience, the emotional healing that came with it, and what it means to feel at home in your body after a big shift.

    If you’re in a season of resetting, reclaiming, or just figuring out what your version of growth looks like, this episode is for you.

    Resources:


    Sponsors:

    • Quince: Elevate your fall wardrobe essentials with Quince. Go to quince.com/balancedles for free shipping on. your order and 365-day returns.
    • Mosh: Support your brain health with Mosh. Head to moshlife.com/lucky to get 20% off plus FREE shipping on the best sellers Trial Pack or the plant-based trial pack.
    • Shopify: Start your online business with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial at shopify.com/balancedblackgirl.
    • Grüns: Grüns are comprehensive nutrition packed into a snack pack a day. Visit gruns.co and use the code LUCKY for 52% off your first order.


    Keep in touch:


    Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.


    Produced by Dear Media.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    16 September 2025, 7:00 am
  • 56 minutes 50 seconds
    The Truth About Being Authentic Online with Jaz Smith

    #309: Is it possible to maintain visibility and authenticity at the same time?

    In this episode I’m joined by content creator and entrepreneur Jaz Smith to talk about what it actually looks like to build a brand around your real life.

    We get into her evolution from working in real estate to becoming a full-time creator, what shifted when she started treating social media like a business, and how she balances visibility with authenticity in a world that often demands both.

    Jazmyn shares the behind-the-scenes of growing her platform with intention, the pressure of always being “on,” and why some of the most powerful career moves don’t look like work at all.

    This conversation is such a refreshing reminder that growth can be strategic and human.

    We Talk About…

    • Her pivot from real estate to full-time content
    • The exact moment she started treating TikTok like a job
    • How she planned her dream wedding on her own terms
    • The parts of her life she doesn’t post
    • Navigating friendship changes in your 20s and 30s


    Resources:


    Sponsors:

    • Cotton: Cotton is the fabric of our lives. Learn more at thefabricofourlives.com.
    • Nutrafol: Get stronger, healthier hair with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering $10 OFF your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to nutrafol.com and enter promo code BALANCEDLES.
    • Cakes: Sticky Cakes are comfortable, seamless, adhesive nipple covers that can be worn with every outfit. Go to cakesbody.com and use code LUCKY for 20% off your order.


    Keep in touch:


    Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.


    Produced by Dear Media.


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    9 September 2025, 7:00 am
  • 53 minutes 47 seconds
    Fashion Is More Than Clothes–It’s Culture with Sandrine Charles

    #308: Is working in fashion as glamorous as it seems?

    This week, I’m joined by fashion consultant and PR powerhouse Sandrine Charles for a conversation that I know is going to stick with you. From working her way up in the fashion industry to starting her own agency and co-founding the Black in Fashion Council, Sandrine has built a career rooted in intention, integrity, and impact.

    We talk about what it actually takes to grow a career in fashion PR, how she knew it was time to branch out on her own, and why representation in fashion goes way beyond who’s walking the runway.

    Whether you’re in a creative industry, figuring out your next career move, or just trying to build something that feels more aligned—you’ll get so much out of this conversation. This episode is for anyone who's craving a more values-aligned path—and wants the inspiration to go after it.


    We also talk about:

    • How Sandrine broke into the fashion industry
    • The not-so-glamorous truth about PR
    • Why she started her own agency (and how she knew she was ready)
    • How the Black in Fashion Council came to be
    • Why fashion is about so much more than just clothes


    Resources:


    Sponsors:

    • Quince: Elevate your fall wardrobe essentials with Quince. Go to quince.com/balancedles for free shipping on. your order and 365-day returns.
    • Nutrafol: Get stronger, healthier hair with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering $10 OFF your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to nutrafol.com and enter promo code BALANCEDLES.
    • Opill: Opill is birth control in your control, and you can use code BALANCEDLES for 25% off your first month at www.opill.com.


    Keep in touch:


    Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.


    Produced by Dear Media.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    2 September 2025, 7:00 am
  • 55 minutes 56 seconds
    Are You Being Your Own Biggest Hater? Let’s Talk About It [Bonus]

    #307: This week, I’m diving into something that’s been coming up a lot in my own life and in so many conversations with friends, too: the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways we sabotage ourselves.

    In this solo episode, I’m unpacking why other people don’t actually have the power to block what’s meant for us—but we do. Whether it’s through self-doubt, procrastination, perfectionism, or just plain fear, we can end up being our own biggest haters.

    I’m also sharing some mindset shifts and honest reflections that have helped me recognize when I’m getting in my own way and how I try to move through it with a little more self-compassion and a lot more clarity.

    If you’ve ever had that gut feeling that you might be the one holding yourself back… this one’s for you.

    Resources:


    Sponsors:


    Keep in touch:


    Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.


    Produced by Dear Media.


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    29 August 2025, 7:00 am
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