Further Forward

Ashley Mitchell

Honest conversations on the art of becoming.  Through solo reflections and conversations with soulful, sharp, and courageous guests, Ashley creates room for the stories that don’t always get told—the pivots, the struggles, the magic, and the mess. Part spiritual, part practical, always human—Further Forward is a space for women invested in their becoming, who know growth is both messy and worth embracing.

  1. APR 30

    You Don’t Need Another Hack— You Need the Basics with Nicole Pichette

    The health advice nobody wants to hear… Ashley sits down with Nicole Pichette, founder of Live Well Collaborative, to unpack what actually moves the needle when it comes to health— and why so many of us avoid it. From the frustration of traditional medicine to the rise of “quick fixes,” they explore the gap between what we know and what we actually do. Nicole shares her journey from primary care to integrative medicine, and breaks down the six foundational pillars of health that most people overlook: fueling your body, movement, sleep, stress, substances, and community. But this conversation goes deeper than habits. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by wellness, stuck between doing “everything right” and still not feeling right, or unsure where to start, this episode will meet you there. Visit Nicole's Website Follow Nicole on Instagram  About Nicole:  Nicole Pichette is a board‑certified primary care nurse practitioner since 2013 who now focuses on integrative and holistic lifestyle medicine. Her approach weaves the best of conventional science with targeted habit shifts, so you get practical, evidence‑based guidance that honors your physical, mental, emotional, and energetic health. Through her personalized, comprehensive programs at Live Well Collaborative, she helps motivated adults cut through conflicting health advice, streamline treatments, and build sustainable routines that improve chronic concerns, calm the mind, and boost energy using integrative and lifestyle approaches. Nicole's focus is on the core foundations of health (nutrition, movement, sleep, stress/nervous system, and energetics) to reduce symptoms and prevent chronic disease, as well as support hormones, a resilient metabolism, and sustainable energy for the long term. Additionally, she is a Menopause Society Certified Provider, Diplomat of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Yoga Alliance RYT‑200 teacher and Usui Level II Reiki practitioner. Nicole is the clinician for someone who wants one trusted person managing their whole health picture: hormones, metabolism, fatigue, gut health, nervous system, lifestyle, energy work, and beyond.  Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell.  📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/  🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr   🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    1h 12m

  2. APR 23

    Everything Prepared Me for This w/ State Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid

    In this episode, Ashley sits down with Massachusetts State Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation about purpose, leadership, and the long road to becoming who you’re meant to be.  From organizing her first protest in third grade to stepping into elected office years later, Rep. Fluker- Reid shares how advocacy was always part of her story—even when she couldn’t fully see it herself. They explore the role of mentors, the quiet impact of limiting beliefs, and what it means to answer a call that disrupts comfort but aligns with purpose. The conversation shifts between the personal and the political, navigating grief, caring for family, maintaining wellness in high-pressure work, and staying grounded while serving the community. Rep. Fluker- Reid also breaks down the real issues she’s fighting for—from education and economic justice to transportation and reentry systems—and what it looks like to build a world where people are truly supported. If you’ve ever felt the tension between who you are and who you could be, this conversation will meet you there. About the Rep:  Brandy Fluker-Reid, Esq. is the Massachusetts State Representative for the 12th Suffolk District serving parts of Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale and Milton. Representative Fluker-Reid holds the esteemed position of Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary as well as being a member of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy and the House Committee on Operations, Facilities and Security. She proudly serves on the Women’s Caucus executive board as Treasurer and is an active member of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. Prior to her work in public service, Representative Fluker-Reid worked as a defense attorney and a public school teacher. In addition to being a practicing attorney, she is the founder and president of Delighting in God Ministries (D.I.G.), a life member of the NAACP, a member of both the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association and the Women’s Bar Association, and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Follow along:  Wesbite  Instagram  Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell.  📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/  🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr   🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    48 min

  3. APR 16

    Why Your Wellness Practices Aren’t Working with Liz Bucar

    We’re doing all the things. Working out. Journaling. Meditating. Trying to take care of ourselves in a world that feels like a lot. So why does it still feel like it’s not working? In this conversation, I sit down with Liz Bucar– professor, writer, and author of Beyond Wellness– to unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface of modern wellness. We talk about:  The difference between feeling better and actually changing your life How wellness became something we consume instead of something that shapes us  Why intention, depth, and community matter more than doing everything perfectly  The role movement can play- not just in your body, but in how you live  What it looks like to carry your practices forward, instead of leaving them behind This is a conversation about choosing practices that don’t just comfort you, but change you. Because if nothing shifts outside of the hour you spend taking care of yourself…what are we really doing? About Liz:  LIZ BUCAR is a religious ethicist and professor of religion at Northeastern University, as well as a certified intenSati and Kripalu yoga instructor. Her popular writing has appeared in The Atlantic, the Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, and The Wall Street Journal, and she is the author of four books, including the award-winning Stealing My Religion and Pious Fashion. She lives in Brookline, Massachusetts. For more about how religion shapes us all, even if we don't believe, subscribe to Liz’s newsletter at LizBucar.com. Connect with Liz Instagram: @LizBucar | TikTok: @LizBucar | Substack: Religion, Reimagined Pre-order Beyond Wellness today! Attend our workshop on May 2nd!! Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell.  📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/  🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr   🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    53 min

  4. APR 9

    Self-Trust in Action

    In this solo episode, Ashley shares what shifted after stepping away from social media, why space is essential for creativity, and how self-trust becomes the foundation for real growth. From redefining core values to building something new, this episode explores what it means to move forward with intention— even when it’s messy. Ashley also opens up about:  The five core values currently guiding her decisions  Why constant visibility can disconnect you from your voice  The truth about building something from the ground up  How her perspective on her parents and her own story is evolving  Why you might be the thing holding yourself back  And what it actually looks like to protect your energy, your work, and your life If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, questioning your direction, or trying to force something that doesn’t feel right, this episode is a reset. Key takeaway: Growth is self-trust in action. 👉 Follow the podcast so new episodes drop automatically each week! 👉 Join the Further Forward Substack for weekly essays + updates 👉 Share this episode with someone who needs it Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell.  📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/  🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr   🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    25 min

  5. MAR 26

    The Leadership Myth That’s Holding Us Back with Maya Grevatt

    What if the way we’ve been taught to lead is actually what’s holding us back? In this episode, I sit down with Maya Grevatt- Director of Operations at Artists for Humanity and Chief of Staff at Tomorrow’s Women Today, to talk about leadership, identity, and the quiet beliefs that shape how we move through the world. We unpack the hidden cost of hyper-competence, and why generosity, not ego, might be the most powerful leadership skill we have. This is a conversation about success- but not the version most of us were taught to chase. What we explore:  Why “doing it all on your own” is a myth—and what it costs us  The downside of hyper-competence (and how it quietly pushes people away)  Rethinking imposter syndrome: is it you, or is it the room?  What generous leadership actually looks like in practice  Identity, perception, and navigating spaces that weren’t built for you  Why mentorship matters (and why proximity often matters more than hierarchy) Burnout from the things you love (and how to reframe it)  Decision-making: how to move forward without waiting for certainty  Maya T. Grevatt is the Director of Operations at Artists for Humanity, a nonprofit that employs and mentors young artists, and Chief of Staff at Tomorrow’s Women Today, a cross-industry leadership community for women. Her work focuses on building more equitable leadership pipelines—centering mentorship, access, and a more generous, human approach to leadership. LinkedIn  Tomorrow's Women Today  Artists For Humanity  Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell.  📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/  🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr   🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    50 min

  6. MAR 19

    Pelvic Floor Health Explained: What Most People Aren’t Taught with Dr. Maya Lespinasse

    Most people don’t think about their pelvic floor until something feels wrong. Leakage. Pain. Tension. Discomfort. Or the quiet sense that something in the body isn’t working the way it used to. In this episode of Further Forward, Ashley sits down with pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Maya Lespinasse, founder of How’s Your Pelvis Physical Therapy, to talk about one of the most misunderstood parts of the body. Dr. Maya explains what the pelvic floor actually is, why so many people suffer in silence, and how pelvic floor dysfunction can affect people across the entire lifespan — from young athletes to aging bodies. They also explore the surprising ways the body is connected, including the relationship between jaw tension, stress, and pelvic floor health. This conversation is honest, educational, and deeply empowering for anyone who wants to better understand their body. In this episode we discuss: • what the pelvic floor actually is  • why pelvic floor issues are more common than people realize  • why young athletes can experience pelvic floor dysfunction  • the surprising connection between jaw tension and pelvic floor tension  • what actually happens during pelvic floor physical therapy  • why many people suffer in silence If you have a body, this conversation will likely change how you think about it. Website  Instagram  About Dr. Maya:  Dr. Maya Lespinasse, PT, DPT, is a pelvic floor physical therapist, entrepreneur, and mentor dedicated to transforming the way women’s health and pelvic floor dysfunction are treated. As the founder of How’s Your Pelvis? a boutique practice in Foxboro, she specializes in complex pelvic pain, and women’s health concerns. She prioritizes whole-body rehabilitation, blending evidence-based care with compassionate, patient-centered treatment. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, and she is recognized for her clinical excellence, education, and advocacy for equitable, stigma-free pelvic healthcare. Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell.  📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/  🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr   🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    47 min

  7. MAR 12

    Her Dream Job Didn’t Exist—So She Made It with Kate of Bucket List Boston

    In this episode of Further Forward, I’m joined by Kate Bergman, founder of Bucket List Boston, for a conversation about building a career that didn’t exist until she created it. We talk about rejection, persistence, social media, entrepreneurship, and what it means to build something meaningful without waiting for permission. From getting rejected three times early on to turning a college passion project into a full-time business, Kate shares what it looks like to trust your instincts, stay true to your values, and create your own lane. If you’ve ever wondered whether the work you want is out there, or whether you might have to build it yourself, this episode is for you. Website  Instagram  TikTok  YouTube About Kate:  Kate is the founder and creative force behind Bucket List Boston, a lifestyle platform dedicated to discovering the best experiences in Boston and beyond. She started the brand as a passion project as a freshman at Boston University and spent the past decade growing it into a full-time business and trusted guide for locals and visitors alike. Through her content, Kate highlights hidden gems, supports small businesses, and inspires people to explore their city with fresh eyes. In addition to creating content, she works with hospitality brands and tourism destinations and runs Bucket List Consulting, where she helps businesses refine their brand storytelling and social media strategy. Kate is passionate about building community, championing local businesses, and showing that a creative idea — when nurtured with consistency and heart — can grow into a meaningful entrepreneurial career. Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell.  📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/  🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr   🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    50 min

  8. MAR 5

    Helping Women Rise with Kim Todd of Dress for Success

    Kim Todd has led Dress for Success Boston for nearly 20 years—and in that time, the organization has served 19,000 women with professional clothing, coaching, and support to not only land jobs, but keep them and build financial independence. In this conversation, Kim and I talk about what service looks like when it’s done with dignity—not savior energy—and how leadership is often something we grow into while we’re already doing the job. Kim shares a pivotal early lesson: even “help” can feel degrading if we aren’t listening. We also get into workplace culture, why flexibility is a form of care, how Dress for Success adapted during COVID, and the mobile boutique that’s now bringing confidence directly into communities. If you’ve ever wanted to be part of the solution, but worried you don’t know enough yet—this one’s for you. Follow Along!  Website  Instagram  Facebook About Kim:  Kim Todd has been involved in fundraising/development for over 30 years. As President of Dress for Success Boston, Kim is responsible for running day-to-day operations, fundraising, Board management and strategic planning. She oversees a staff of four, and over 100 volunteers. Kim also serves as spokesperson for the organization, and has appeared on WCVB-TV's Chronicle, FOX 25 News, and has been a guest on several radio shows. Previously, as Grant Writer/Assistant Director of Development at The New England Center for Children, Kim was responsible for researching and writing grant proposals to secure funding for general operations and special programs. In this position, Kim brought in over $400,000 in grants and in-kind technology. Kim earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Theatre from Emerson College, and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management and Leadership from Boston University. Kim is an avid reader and fitness fanatic.  She has two children, Ruby and Alexander, and lives in the suburbs with her husband, Chuck. Further Forward: Honest Conversations on the Art of Becoming, is hosted by Ashley Mitchell.  📩 Subscribe to Ashley’s newsletter, Mind & Motion: https://blackgirlmagicmama.substack.com/  🎙️ Follow for new episodes + bts footage: https://www.instagram.com/furtherforwardpod?igsh=MWJuaDFiMjlzcjJ1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr   🌱 Support this work and share it with a friend who’s ready to move further forward.

    53 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Honest conversations on the art of becoming.  Through solo reflections and conversations with soulful, sharp, and courageous guests, Ashley creates room for the stories that don’t always get told—the pivots, the struggles, the magic, and the mess. Part spiritual, part practical, always human—Further Forward is a space for women invested in their becoming, who know growth is both messy and worth embracing.

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Mitchell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Further Forward
  • Show Website
    Further Forward

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