Self Care Oasis

Samantha Gregory

A sanctuary for high-achieving Black and BIPOC women ready to release the hustle, soften into healing, and reclaim their joy. Hosted by Samantha Gregory — writer, self-care & soul alchemist, and Soft Life CEO — each episode blends real talk, rituals, and reflections from the deep end of ease. Expect honest conversations, journal-style episodes, and soft power strategies for building a life of rest, richness, and radical self-worth. blyss.substack.com

  1. Jul 29

    Prioritizing Self and Capacity: Wellness Tech for Black Women on the Brink | Alisha Robertson

    This episode sponsored by BlyssTechSolutions There’s a narrative out here that tells women entrepreneurs to keep pushing, keep producing, keep performing until the candles are burned clear through the middle. But what if we stopped letting productivity define our value, and started measuring what really matters: our capacity, our joy, and our right to rest? On the latest Self Care Oasis Podcast, I sat down with Alisha Robertson, founder of Dew the newest tech innovation built to prevent burnout for women entrepreneurs. This episode was a full-body permission slip to stop hustling for your worth and start building a life and business that honors how you actually want to feel. Giving Ourselves Permission to Not Be Okay We cracked open that myth of “she’s got it all together.” Let’s be real—a lot of us are crying in the shower, carrying the invisible loads at home and in our businesses, and still showing up like we have it figured out. Alisha and I both know that script. We’ve lived it. And we’ve stayed silent about it until it almost took us out. I kept repeating to myself her words: “I want women to realize that it’s okay to be selfish.” It’s not about opting out of our responsibilities, but about refusing to keep coming in last on our own to-do list. The conversation reminded me—again—that asking for help isn’t weakness. It’s a survival skill. Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honor We rewound to the era of “girl boss,” “hustle harder,” and “sleep when you’re dead” mentality. Whole influencer movements and business models have been built off the backs of women burning out for a definition of success that was never ours. I felt every word when Alisha said, “I realized nothing changes if nothing changes.” How many of us have tried the weekend reset, two days here, a day off there, only to slide right back into that sabotage cycle? It wasn’t until life forced a hard pause, motherhood, postpartum depression, and a literal global pandemic, that she reimagined what her life could look like. She stopped trying to “get back” to who she was before and started honoring who she was becoming. Your Real Issue Isn’t Productivity. It’s Capacity. Here’s the provocative truth: most of us don’t really have a productivity problem. We have a capacity problem. How many times have you loaded your week, checked every box, and still wound up feeling like a shell of yourself? That’s where Dew comes in. It’s not just another to-do list app. Dew’s capacity calculator asks you, “How do you actually feel mentally, emotionally, physically?” Then it helps you design your week around reality, not unrealistic expectations. You’ll know at a glance if it’s time to pull back and refill your cup because, as Alisha said, “Burnout is easier to redirect before you’re in it.” And if you’re running on empty, that endless cycle of “just one more thing” is never going to be the answer. Redefining Selfishness Let’s talk about being selfish. I know that word still gets under some folks’ skin. But let’s reclaim it: being selfish with my time, my energy, my boundaries. Making rest and my “me hour” non-negotiable. Not performing exhaustion for other people’s comfort, but honoring rest as my radical act. I loved Alisha’s manifesto for this next generation: modeling what it truly means to choose yourself, daily, so our daughters grow up with a different script. Because I’m building a life that’s about overflow not depletion. I give from abundance, not my last drop. Dew Is the Tool Built for Us If you’re ready to track your energy, not just your tasks—and to put yourself on your own damn calendar—Dew is dropping in September via web app. Join the waitlist at doingeverydaywell.com and connect with Alisha on IG @doingwellwithalicia. Here’s the future: business built around your life, not the other way around. Wellness and systems designed for the way women actually operate—multilayered, essential, worthy of daily replenishment. If you’re tired of wearing exhaustion as your armor, come sit with us in the oasis. Like, subscribe, and leave a review if this conversation shook you out of your cycle—because I promise, someone else in your circle needs this too. Now, go grab your bliss and start living shamelessly. And remember: you don’t have to earn your rest. You just have to take it. About Alicia Roberson Alicia Robertson is the founder of Dew, a burnout prevention app designed specifically for exhausted women entrepreneurs. After nearly 15 years of entrepreneurial experience and struggling with recurring burnout, Alicia’s perspective shifted dramatically following the birth of her daughter and her battle with postpartum depression. She realized her way of working was unsustainable and incompatible with the kind of mother, woman, and entrepreneur she aspired to be. Inspired by her own journey, Alicia made it her mission to help other women break the cycle of burnout. Dew (Doing Everyday Well), empowers women entrepreneurs to prioritize their well-being as they juggle the demands of both business and life. Get full access to Self Care Oasis at blyss.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Jul 25

    [Replay] Self Care Roundtable w/ Samantha and Friends

    Did you miss the live Self Care Roundtable discussion with me and a few of my friends and wellness practioners? Fortunately, everything was recorded and tied in a bow for you to watch the replay. In addition to co-hosting the roundtable I was making the rounds this week because it was the unofficial Self Care Week leading up to International Self Care Day (July 24). On Monday I was a guest on Dr. Nicole Pertillar 🔴 Substack Live where I shared my Self Devotion philosophy (at this point I might as well start a church with how much I talk about it). Then on Thursday, I was a guest on The Rested Black Woman’s first Substack Live and we had a time! We talked about radical rest and selfishness, Self-Devotion, techwellness, and everything in between. There were over 100 people who joined us. Hopefully you’ll join us next time because we will definitely be getting together to do it again. Should I go live? Speaking of Substack Live, should I go live? Would you come to my live videos if I did them? It would likely be Q&A format. If so (or not) cast your vote in the poll below then message me your questions if your answer is yes. The Black Women Self Care Bundle is still available until July 31, 2026. You can get free access to the 12 self care resources created by Black Women for Black Women (and supporters). The resources, expert interviews, and roundtable discussion are all part of the support you deserve on your journey to freedom. Coming Next Week: New Podcast Next week I am dropping a new Self Care Oasis podcast episode with a femtech wellness app founder. She’s created a much needed app for women who need to be reminded that she’s the priority. Thank you Celeste Angelic London, Sherell, Mrs. Violet B, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. Self Care Oasis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Self Care Oasis at blyss.substack.com/subscribe

  3. Jul 24

    Rest, Softness, and Self-Devotion with Samantha of Self-Care Oasis

    Sisters, pull up a chair. Sit close. I was live in a conversation with Tecca | The Rested Black Woman for her very first Substack Live, and baby, we went there. Soul on the table, no performance. So let me pour a little of that medicine right here, because rest isn’t a wellness buzzword you slap on a Sunday. For us? Rest is a raw commitment. A birthright. And some days, the only reason we’re still standing. Why Rest Feels So Hard — Especially for Us We opened with breath. Tecca calls it a “soft rebellion,” and I felt that in my chest. A few deep inhales. Eyes closed if you were brave enough. Right in the middle of whatever chaos the day was serving. That’s the whole practice. Nothing fancy. Nothing you have to earn. So why does something that simple keep hovering just out of reach for Black women? One word: obligation. And I don’t mean the emails and the to-do lists. I mean the bone-deep, handed-down kind. The kind that whispers you must do for everybody, or else. I know it intimately. I was the hyper-responsible Capricorn eldest daughter. The tech queen bouncing from NASA to Verizon to Intuit. Single mom. Serving and serving and serving until the machine in me just… shorted out. My body kept the receipts because my reproductive system shut down in my teens from stress, then went full early menopause at 32. Sound familiar? Too many of us hit that same wall. And then most of us do the unthinkable — we get up and keep crawling. The Radical Selfishness of Self-Devotion Can I be honest with you? Like, really honest? To come back to myself, I had to swing the pendulum all the way over to something I now call radical selfishness. Let me make it plain: I started putting myself first. And at first it felt villainous. Like I’d failed the assignment of being “the strong one” everybody leans on. But here’s the alchemy. My overflow became the offering. I stopped giving from an empty cup, from depletion, from guilt. I fill myself all the way up first and if there’s extra, I share it. If there’s not? The world does not end. That’s what self-devotion is to me. Not a spa day. A relentless, daily, moment-to-moment choice to check in with myself first. What do I want? What do I need? What actually feels good in my body right now? And then I only hand the world what’s truly overflow — never my essence, never my survival rations. When You Stand in Rest, the World Has to Adjust Let’s get real about the fallout, because it’s real. Some people will call you selfish. Distant. A disappointment. You might lose relationships that were only ever feeding on your old self-sacrifice. I won’t sugarcoat that part. When I went no-contact with family who couldn’t respect my boundaries, I grieved. Hard. And then? I bloomed. Because here’s what nobody tells you: the right people learn a new way to approach you. You start hearing friends open with “Hey, do you have capacity?” — Tecca named that one, and it’s such a green flag. A whole new community gathers around the you-centered you. Not your usefulness. You. The Phases of Rest (Spoiler: It’s Not a Straight Line) Rest is not linear. It’s not neat. It is not Instagrammable. First comes the collapse when your body and spirit say no more and you crawl into bed just to survive. Then recovery, when your nervous system slowly exhales and starts to trust that you won’t abandon yourself again. And if you stay the course, overflow is where rest stops being a thing you do and becomes who you are. A guiding principle. A gut check before every yes and every no. And then it loops. You’ll revisit old phases, because life is layered and healing was never a staircase. The world will keep trying to yank you back into grind culture. But here’s the thing, once you’ve tasted overflow, crumbs never taste right again. Rest as Spiritual and Collective Rebellion Rest is resistance. Rest is a portal. When you finally slow down, maybe for the first time in your life, you start hearing the divine whispering underneath all that static of obligation. This was never really about naps and spa moments (though listen, I love a good spa moment). It’s about having the nerve to center yourself. To let your overflow be the gift, and stop handing over your lifeblood. Your Message Needs You to Rest So many of us are carrying medicine. Art. Stories the world is genuinely starving for. And tech overwhelm and burnout try to rob us of that voice before it ever gets out. That’s exactly why I braid tech strategy together with self-care helping women, especially in wellness, build the digital systems that hold their vision without frying their nervous system. Your systems should hold you. Not the other way around. If you’ve got a message for the world and the tech is blocking your flow, come find me. We’ll alchemize that too. The Money Wound: Healing Past Survival We also touched the money wound. And whew. That “math ain’t mathing” stress isn’t always about income. Sometimes it’s about what we were told we deserve. What we were told was even possible for us. And those stories don’t disappear the second you leave the job or “regulate” your nervous system; they linger. Liberation is layered, baby. We get to notice these stories, sit with them, and release them. One nervous system pause at a time. Rest Is the Beginning, Not the End Leaving survival mode isn’t the finish line. It’s the next door. Healing, softness, boundaries, and overflow does not happen in a vacuum, and you will not always be applauded for choosing it. Do it anyway. Radical rest is possible. It’s necessary. And I’m walking it right alongside you. Want support? Slide into my DMs. Join the Self-Care Oasis. Grab the Black Women’s Self-Care Bundle. Or save your seat for the next roundtable. Your very next breath can be the start of your own soft rebellion. Keep coming home to yourself. With love and radical softness, Samantha Gregory Self Care Alchemist & TechWellness Consultant P.S. Thank you The Celebration Chronicle, Joy Oladele, Ann-Marie Sampson (Coach Anno), Safiyyah, SimplyTayanta, and many others for tuning into my live video with The Rested Black Woman! Join me for my next live video in the app. Self Care Oasis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Self Care Oasis at blyss.substack.com/subscribe

    Rest, Softness, and Self-Devotion with Samantha of Self-Care Oasis
  4. Jul 12

    The Power of Radical Self-Care: Insights from the Black Women Self Care Bundle Ambassador Chats

    In this inspiring discussion aimed at empowering Black women to prioritize self-care, the Black Women Self Care Bundle Ambassador Chats brought together eight wellness practitioners who shared their insights and personal experiences. These conversations focused on the radical act of self-preservation in a world that often demands relentless sacrifice. Let’s explore the highlights from this empowering discussion with me, Tiffany Mimms, Chioko Grevious, Dr. Diane Gaston, Dr. Tonia Burgess, Prea Epps, Rakita Brown, and other knowledgeable speakers. Redefining Selfishness: A Necessary Shift I opened the discussion by recounting my journey to radical selfishness, a path I pursued to reclaim her health and identity after being diagnosed with premature ovarian failure. I also discussed the burden carried by mothers and their ancestors, who felt their worth was tied to labor and sacrifice. My message is clear: self-care is not betrayal, but an essential act of survival. Success Without Sacrifice Tiffany Mimms challenged the notion that success requires sacrificing one’s sanity. By critiquing productivity narratives, she introduced the idea of self-care as political warfare and emphasized rest as a form of resistance. Mimms’s contribution underscored the power of refusing to work to the point of personal detriment. The Healing Journey of Self-Care Chioko Juliette Grevious discussed the transformative power of storytelling in redefining narratives imposed upon us. She advocated for soul care over superficial self-care practices, emphasizing internal reflection to prevent burnout. Grevious’s perspective invites us to care for our innermost selves. Deserving Rest: The New Paradigm Dr. Diane Gaston explored how over-functioning is often normalized, particularly among Black women. She called for a cultural shift, viewing rest not as something to be earned, but as something deserved. Her insights encourage a reevaluation of societal expectations and personal well-being. Community and Culture: The Blueprint for Change Dr. Tonia Burgess highlighted the collective nature of healing, asserting that Black women are the cultural blueprint. By caring for themselves, they set the stage for communal healing and create a legacy of wellness for future generations. This perspective acknowledges the interconnectedness of individual and community health. The Strength of Boundaries Prea Epps delivered a powerful message: prioritizing oneself is not selfish, but necessary for growth. She urged Black women to invest in their personal development and set boundaries, reassuring them that discomfort is a natural part of the transformation process. Creating Safe Spaces Rakita Brown spoke passionately about crafting spaces for Black women to truly be themselves. Her initiative, Holistree, serves as a love letter to Black women, offering them judgment-free environments to rest and rejuvenate. Brown’s dedication to this work addresses a critical need for visibility and joy in the lives of Black women. Conclusion: Embrace the Radical Act of Self-Care The Ambassador Chats were a reminder of the power and necessity of self-care as a radical act. Each practitioner brought unique insights into the ways Black women can reclaim their well-being in a world that often undervalues their existence. By embracing self-care, setting boundaries, and seeking joy, Black women can not only heal themselves but also inspire and lead future generations toward a healthier, more empowered existence. In a world where relentless duties often overshadow personal needs, these ambassadors remind us that self-care is not only essential but transformative. Let their words inspire you to prioritize yourself and join a community dedicated to healing and empowerment. A Love Letter to You, Wrapped in a Bundle This bundle is basically a love letter to Black women who are tired of performing wellness and are ready to actually live it. Boundaries. Nervous system support. Rest that isn’t earned through exhaustion. Bliss that isn’t conditional. Your Invitation And it’s ready for you. The Black Women Self Care Bundle opens July 13 and closes July 31. If you’ve been in survival mode, burnout mode, “I’ll rest when I’m done” mode, this is your sign. Not to add another to-do, but to finally choose yourself. Come get your bundle. Come get your bliss. 👉 blackwomenselfcarebundle.com Self Care Oasis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Self Care Oasis at blyss.substack.com/subscribe

  5. Jul 1

    [Podcast] Redefining Success and Sanity

    Hey beautiful ones, welcome back to the Self Care Oasis Podcast! I’m Samantha Gregory, the Self Care Alchemist. Today, I’m inviting you into an eye-opening, real-talk conversation with Roxanne Turner, a powerful mental health professional who gets personal about what it really takes to move from burnout back to bliss. If you’re tired of pretending that having it all feels as good as it looks, or you’re noticing your body and soul pulling you in a whole other direction, sit with us and take a few deep breaths. This is a conversation I know you’re going to feel in your bones. Conversation Highlights * What Happens When Success Isn’t Enough: Roxanne Turner and I dig into the moment she realized her hard-won career and shiny titles just weren’t lighting her up anymore (01:24). That realization shifted everything about how she now lives and works. * No One Prepares You for the Letdown: We talk about the missing chapters in the “success manual” and why achievement can sometimes trigger unexpected grief and confusion along with celebration (02:00). * Family, Career, and the Cost of Disconnection: Roxanne Turner got honest about how “protecting everyone else” almost made her miss the most important people in her life (04:18). * Making Healing a Team Sport: We talk about therapy, body wisdom, and what it was like letting family remind her when she was pushing too hard after burnout. It’s raw, real, and so needed for high achievers (09:30). * Hormones, Burnout, and the Wake-Up Call: We laugh (and commiserate) about perimenopause and how those body shifts force us to stop living like machines and start honoring our own rhythms (14:37). * The Values Framework: Roxanne Turner breaks down her signature approach for helping women reconnect with their top values, get brutally honest with where they’ve sacrificed themselves, and make decisions that finally feel like self-devotion and not duty (19:21). * Come Home to Your Inner Teen: One of my favorites: Roxanne Turner asks us to reflect on what lit us up around age 15 or 16 before everyone else’s opinions got louder than our own. Start there and see what you discover (31:45). Segments in the Conversation * Burnout Gets Personal: The moment when burnout became impossible to ignore (05:42) * The Permission Slip: How to cope when people meet your healing with “it must be nice” and why that isn’t your stuff to carry (12:44) * Custom-Tailored Self Care: Self care isn’t bubble baths unless that’s your actual love language * A Practical Toolkit: Using values to check in with your real self, make your next move, and break out of the hamster wheel Connect with Roxanne Turner Trust me, you want more of Roxanne Turner’s energy and expertise in your life. Visit her at Pivotal Perspectives CC and follow @pivotalperspectivesllc on socials. She’s open for discovery calls and shares plenty of bite-sized wisdom to get you back in alignment with yourself. Before You Go… If this conversation hit home or gave you something you didn’t hear anywhere else, subscribe to the Self Care Oasis Podcast wherever you listen. Leave a review. That’s how our community keeps growing and reaching more women who need these reminders that self care and self devotion aren’t selfish—they’re necessary. Share this episode with someone who’s quietly struggling or ready to redefine success. Connect with me here on Substack and on my socials for more self care inspiration. REMEMBER: You absolutely deserve every single bit of the bliss you’re craving. Go and claim it. Get full access to Self Care Oasis at blyss.substack.com/subscribe

  6. Jun 8

    [Podcast] Becoming the Leading Lady of Your Life

    This episode sponsored by the 1-Minute Budget Toolkit 💰 Welcome to Your New Self Care Era Hey beautiful people! It’s Samantha Gregory, your Self Care Alchemist, host of the Self Care Oasis Podcast. I’m all about helping women, especially Black women, breakup with burnout and step into a life that’s all about better boundaries, more balance, and shameless bliss. In this beautiful episode, I sat down with therapist and wholeness advocate , lovingly known as Dr. Nic. We get real about what it means to reclaim your energy, become the leading lady of your own life, and unapologetically prioritize yourself. We talked about… 1. Redefining Self Care for Black WomenWe set the stage by exploring how self care isn’t a luxury or an afterthought—it’s the new norm. We talk about stepping away from external validation, turning inward, and rooting self care as a personal, radical practice. 2. You Are the Table – Own ItDr. Nic shares her philosophy that you are the table, not just a guest at one. She breaks down how self leadership and wholeness aren’t about selfishness (which is okay) but about abundance. If you’re tired of scraping from an empty cup, this segment is your permission slip to pour into yourself first. 3. Banishing Guilt & Embracing BoundariesThe guilt and shame of putting yourself first? Time to send that packing. We discuss why the best gift you can give your kids (or any young person in your orbit) is your example of living aligned, setting boundaries, and normalizing alone time, decompression, and unapologetic self devotion. 4. The Power of the PauseLet’s get into sustainable self care and those “power pause” moments. Ten minutes of solitude, a mindful breath, or a creative break can fill you up in ways you never imagined. We talk about redefining what’s possible, one intentional pause at a time. 5. From Burnout to Blossoming – Dr. Nic’s StoryDr. Nic gets vulnerable about her own forced pause—her life-changing car accident—and how it sparked her path toward holistic healing and leaving behind work cultures that care more about output than well-being. Her story is a wake-up call to anyone who feels trapped by obligation. 6. Owning Your Villain Era & Main Character EnergyReady to disrupt the good-girl script and step into your own villain era (in the best, boundary-honoring way)? We’re talking about a radical reclamation—a refusal to let traditions drain the life out of us, and an invitation to center your joy and wellbeing, even if it rocks the boat. Connect with Dr. Nic Want more of ’s wisdom? You can find her on Substack at Dr. Nicole Pertillar 🔴 “The Pause for Solos” and on Instagram/Threads @thepauseforsolos. Her website, nicolepertillar.com, is where you’ll find everything about her upcoming journal, “Girl Pause, Stop Dreaming and Start Doing.” Trust me, you need this in your life if you’re ready to turn dreams into action and stop sacrificing them for everyone else. Join the Movement! Ready to surround yourself with women who get it? Look for the upcoming Black Women’s Wellness Rolodex and the Black Women’s Self Care Bundle launching in July. These resources are crafted BY Black women FOR Black women and packed with everything you need to nourish yourself, set boundaries, and thrive. Don’t Miss an Episode Loved this conversation? Make sure you subscribe to the Self Care Oasis Podcast wherever you listen. If this episode resonated, share it with a friend, and leave a review! Your support helps spread this gospel of wholeness and self care. Let’s make “self devotion” a daily reality, not just a wish. Thanks for listening, y’all. Step boldly into self care this week—rebuild your table, fill your cup, and stay blissful. See you next time! Get full access to Self Care Oasis at blyss.substack.com/subscribe

  7. May 25

    From Wounds to Wisdom: The Healing Conversation Every Woman Needs Right Now

    What does it truly mean to be an alchemist of your own life? In this deeply moving episode, I sits down with fellow alchemist Beauty Reyna to explore the profound shift from carrying heavy life wounds to broadcasting pure brilliance and global impact. Beauty opens up about her raw, spiritually elevating journey through a toxic pregnancy, choosing solo sovereignty over easy “on-paper” illusions, and discovering her innate power to sustain a beautiful lineage for her daughter. Together, we unpack how women can reject the crushing weight of self-sacrifice, tap into sensory self-care, and remember the fearless, unjaded little girl waiting inside. ✨ Key Takeaways & Insight * The Power of the Frequency Choice: Every single day, women have a choice to make. We carry the power to turn our circumstances into something magnificent or let them fall to a lower frequency. The pivot begins with your thoughts and heart’s deepest desires. * Motherhood as a Divine Catalyst: True alignment often requires making sudden, world-shifting choices. Beauty shares how navigating a high-conflict relationship breakup on the exact day she discovered her pregnancy forced her to lean out of worldly stress and entirely into spiritual elevation. * Intentional Parenting Shifting Lineages: Motherhood isn’t just about giving life; it’s about maintaining, sustaining, and elevating it. By intentionally choosing how we show up, we completely rewrite the ancestral storylines that ran through our families. * Remembering Her (The 7-Year-Old Self): We don’t necessarily have to labor to become someone new; we just have to remember who we’ve always been. Reconnect with the fearless, confident, unjaded child you were before the world instilled doubt and logic over your soul’s truth. * Sensory Grounding for Tough Days: Real life gets heavy, and toxic positivity doesn’t cut it. When thoughts don’t align with actions, tap into the physical magic of herbalism and aromatherapy—smells and textures possess the power to instantly bring you home. About Beauty Reyna Beauty is an herbalist, sacred alchemist, and author whose journey began with the discovery of her own power to transform personal wounds into wisdom. Realizing her innate brilliance, she chose to channel it into making a meaningful impact, guiding visionary women to recognize and embrace their inner alchemist. Through her work, Beauty inspires others to see the transformative power within themselves, especially women who are not only creators and mothers but also trailblazers in the world. 💬 Memorable Quotes “I realized, wow, I’ve been really amazing at turning my wounds into wisdom. And my brilliance... this time I’m turning it into impact.” — Beauty Reyna “We are not necessarily becoming, we’re just remembering.” — Samantha Gregory “No matter how low, no matter how high, you have your own unique power that maybe you just haven’t tapped into, resonated with, or remembered... There truly is that magical voice in you speaking to you, just waiting for you to listen.” — Beauty Reyna “Remember that you have the power and the opportunity to choose your bliss today. Do what you need to do in order to get on that path and to unblock your brilliance.” — Samantha Gregory 📖 Featured Spotlight The She Is Alchemy Awards An exquisite celebration launching this year to honor and crown visionary women who are turning their wounds into wisdom and their brilliance into impact. Featuring 10 distinct crowning categories, the physical ceremony takes place on October 22nd in Miami. Community nominations open after April 9th on Beauty’s lifestyle platform! Book Release: Toxic Confessions: From Sensual Shadows to Soul Missions This isn’t your standard Amazon read. It is a unique, soul-elevating memoir and tell-all detailing a wild 90s/2000s journey through LA and Miami, packed with rigorous soul lessons. The Ritual Edition release comes complete with an interactive workbook designed to serve as a deep spiritual experience for your own evolution. 🌐 Connect with the Guest & Host * Visit Beauty Reyna’s Official Website: She Is Alchemy Lifestyle (For award voting, nominations, boutique book distributors, and sacred rituals). * Connect with Samantha Gregory: Explore The School of Self Devotion, subscribe to the newsletter, or apply for one-on-one burnout mentorship. Get full access to Self Care Oasis at blyss.substack.com/subscribe

  8. May 2

    Why Pleasure is the Ultimate Self-Care for Black Women

    This episode of the Self Care Oasis Podcast is pure fire! I got deep with Dr. Nikki Coleman — psychologist, sexologist, and a Black woman who is absolutely redefining what it means for us to live fully, joyfully, and unapologetically. If you’ve ever felt stuck in burnout, starving for more pleasure, or tired of the old narratives weighing you down, this is the conversation you need in your life. What Went Down: Highlights from Our Real Talk * Pleasure Isn’t Just for After the Work’s DoneDr. Nikki Coleman dropped this gem: pleasure is a pathway to liberation. We get into why waiting to “earn” pleasure is a trap, especially for Black women, and how flipping the script is radical (08:44). * Who Told You Who You Are?We unravel all that negative programming and talk about making a new choice—actually, remembering who you were before everybody tried to tell you otherwise (05:05). * Slow Down, Sis…Seriously, did you know most of us are disconnected from our own bodies? We talk about how to gently come back to yourself and why tuning in is where real self care starts (11:01). * Escapism vs. Embodied PleasureLet’s be real: zoning out is not the same as lighting yourself up from the inside. We go there! (14:16) * What Does REAL Joy Feel Like?Performing happiness for the ’gram or buying brunches isn’t the same as being deeply nourished. We unpack how to tell the difference and why it matters (17:35). * From Womb Healing to Erotic LiberationWe get vulnerable about generational trauma, the power of reconnecting with our wombs, and how pleasure—at every level—is for us, right now (34:34; 25:13). * Liberation Is an Inside JobYou have permission. Seriously. Nobody is going to hand you a gold star for living small. Dr. Nikki Coleman and I want you to walk away from this episode knowing your pleasure is yours to claim (37:18). Self Care Oasis is the gateway to your softer life glow-up via Self Devotion, wellness travel, and early semi-retirement. Join 2400+ Self Devotion Divas who are proactively creating the life they love by becoming a free or paid subscriber. Plus get FREE access to the Oasis Vault containing resources and tools to support your journey from burnout to better boundaries and shameless bliss! Want More? Here’s How to Connect with Dr. Nikki Coleman If you loved Dr. Nikki Coleman’s wisdom, go follow her right now! She created the Pleasure Pursuit Journal a yearlong guided practice for women finally ready to make pleasure a priority. She also offers therapy, group programs (the Sanctuary), and some of the most soulful content you’ll find. * Peep her site: drnikkinows.com * Find her everywhere: @drnikknows Stay Connected with Me and the Oasis Community I’d love nothing more than to hear how you’re reclaiming your pleasure and showing up for yourself, day by day. Find me and the Oasis community on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Drop your questions, joy moments, or even just a “hey girl!” DM. Don’t Forget to Subscribe & Leave a Comment! I know you felt that energy and insight so hit subscribe on the Self Care Oasis Podcast. If you vibe with the show, take a quick second to leave a comment. Tell us what shifted for you, what you crave more of, and invite a friend to tune in with you next week. We grow and glow together! You are the boss of your own joy. Give yourself full permission, right now, to live lit up from the inside. The world was made for your pleasure—don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Grateful for you, always can’t wait for you to join us again. Get full access to Self Care Oasis at blyss.substack.com/subscribe

    Why Pleasure is the Ultimate Self-Care for Black Women

About

A sanctuary for high-achieving Black and BIPOC women ready to release the hustle, soften into healing, and reclaim their joy. Hosted by Samantha Gregory — writer, self-care & soul alchemist, and Soft Life CEO — each episode blends real talk, rituals, and reflections from the deep end of ease. Expect honest conversations, journal-style episodes, and soft power strategies for building a life of rest, richness, and radical self-worth. blyss.substack.com