At Ease: For Colored Girls Who Fled Corporate When Six Figures Wasn't Enough

Cristin Babb
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

At Ease is a podcast for black women who have decided to trade hustling for fuller, bolder lives. Whether you quietly quit, took a leap of faith, pursued passion over a paycheck, or are building a side hustle, join Coach Cristin as we redefine success by re-shaping our minds. Cristin combines her lived experience and thought work to help women reconnect with their bodies, combat burnout, and build businesses.

  1. Jan 19

    Justice Is a Mental Health Issue: MLK, Psychological Safety, and the Cost of Injustice at Work

    On this MLK Day episode of At Ease, we move beyond quotes and commemoration to explore a deeper truth: injustice does not just shape systems, it shapes people. Justice is something people experience daily in the workplace through dignity, fairness, voice, and safety. When those things are compromised, the impact is not only professional, it is psychological. In this conversation, Cristin is joined by mental health expert Stephanie Lewis to explore how prolonged stress, lack of psychological safety, and environments that require constant vigilance affect mental and emotional well-being. While Stephanie does not work with organizations in this capacity, her clinical insights help illuminate the very real human cost of workplace conditions and why mental health cannot be separated from justice. This episode invites leaders, HR professionals, and high-performing professionals to reflect on how workplace environments shape mental health and what it truly means to create spaces where people feel safe enough to be human. In This Episode, We ExploreWhy justice is a mental health issue, not just a moral or social oneHow chronic workplace stress and lack of dignity impact the nervous systemThe hidden emotional labor of managing perception and safety at workWhy individual coping strategies have limits when environments remain unsafeHow MLK’s legacy challenges leaders to consider the human cost of injustice MLK and Mental HealthDr. Martin Luther King Jr. is often remembered for his courage and conviction, but less frequently for the emotional and psychological toll of his work. Historical accounts and personal writings reflect that Dr. King experienced periods of deep emotional distress, exhaustion, and depression while leading under constant threat, criticism, and pressure. Recognizing this part of his humanity helps us better understand that sustained exposure to injustice, danger, and moral responsibility carries a real psychological cost. His legacy reminds us that strength and struggle can coexist and that caring for mental health is not a weakness, but a necessity. Resources MentionedUnderstanding Emotions and Mental Health Feelings and Emotions WheelA helpful tool for identifying, naming, and expanding emotional awareness.https://feelingswheel.com(You can also search “emotion wheel” or “feelings wheel PDF” for printable versions.) Learning More About MLK’s Humanity Bearing the Cross by David J. GarrowThe Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr.Essays and letters that document the emotional toll of leadership and injustice Connect With Our GuestStephanie Lewis, LPCC-S Mental Health Professional LinkedIn:Psychology Today ProfileInstagram @theperspectiveliaison

    1h 2m

  2. 11/06/2025

    Shut Down, Not Shaken Part 35 (35 Episodes in 35 Days)

    In this final episode of Shut Down, Not Shaken, Cristin reflects on the journey of creating 35 episodes in 35 days with no plan, no script, and no guarantee anyone would listen. What started as an instinct to bring calm and connection during the government shutdown became a season of rediscovery, resilience, and creative freedom. Cristin opens up about restarting her podcast after 2.5 years away, rebuilding from scratch after her old recording platform disappeared, and relearning everything, from finding her intro music to testing new tools mid-series. She shares lessons learned about courage, imperfection, and the unexpected joy of showing up for others when you’re still figuring it out yourself.

    7 min

  3. 11/05/2025

    Shut Down, Not Shaken Part 34 (Just Keep Moving)

    In this conversation, Nandi Shareef discusses the challenges managers and leaders face during organizational crises, such as layoffs and furloughs. She emphasizes the importance of shifting the mindset from feeling helpless to focusing on what can be controlled and influenced. By asking the right questions, leaders can find ways to support their teams and create positive movement within their organizations.

    34 min

  4. 11/04/2025

    Shut Down, Not Shaken Part 33 (Reassessing Life's Lies: A Conversation with Dr. Ocean)

    In this conversation, Dr. Jeanette Davis (Dr. Ocean) shares her experience during a government shutdown and how it became a catalyst for a career shift. She discusses the societal conditioning surrounding the concept of security and the false narratives that have been perpetuated. She emphasizes the need for individuals to reassess these narratives and redefine what security means to them personally. Connect with Dr. Jeanette Davis https://drjeanettedavis.com/ Instagram: @dr_ocean24

    40 min

  5. 11/03/2025

    Shut Down, Not Shaken Part 32 (Shame, Systems, and Survival)

    In this episode of At Ease: In the Shutdown, Cristin Candice gets real about something too many Black women are carrying in silence during the government shutdown: shame. Not the kind that comes from doing something wrong, but the quiet, creeping kind that says you should have done more. More savings. More planning. More hustling. Cristin invites listeners to lay down the guilt and see the truth: this isn’t a personal failure, it’s a systemic one. Through reflection, research, and grace, she explores how shame shows up, why it’s misplaced, and what it looks like to choose self-compassion and community care instead. Reflection PromptsWhat stories have I been told, or told myself, about money and worth? How has shame shown up for me during this shutdown? What is one thing I can forgive myself for today? How can I show myself grace right now, not later?

    10 min

  6. 11/02/2025

    Shut Down, Not Shaken Part 31 (Feeling Free)

    Cristin reflects on the unexpected insights gained during a period of uncertainty. She discusses how moments of pause can lead to profound self-discovery and the realization of personal inflection points. Cristin emphasizes the importance of recognizing that freedom is inherent and encourages listeners to embrace their own journeys of rediscovery. Takeaways This shutdown for all its uncertainty is showing me something that I really didn't expect. When everything around you stops, you can finally hear what's actually moving on inside of you. I started off thinking that this was a pause. I am now realizing that this may be an inflection point. This may be the catalyst for the pivot. If you are listening to this and you are standing at your own crossroads, I am right there with you. You are not alone. We're all just trying to find our rhythm again. Take a breath, move what you can. Remember, freedom is not something you earn. It's something you return to.

    13 min

  7. 11/01/2025

    Shut Down, Not Shaken Part 30 (Empowering Women Through Community)

    In this conversation, Surae Grantham emphasizes the importance of community and self-compassion for personal growth. She advises finding a supportive group of women who can share experiences and resources, and stresses the need to embrace self-kindness during challenging times. Takeaways Find a tribe, a group of like-minded women. Seek those who have been through similar experiences. Utilize tools and resources from your community. Don't be too prideful in seeking help. Avoid self-criticism during tough times. Give yourself grace and understanding. Embrace the journey of personal growth. Support from others can be transformative. Community can provide essential resources. Self-compassion is key to resilience.

    22 min

  8. 10/31/2025

    Shut Down, Not Shaken Part 29 (Let's Dance)

    During times of stress, uncertainty, or shutdown, our minds often run nonstop, but our bodies hold the truth. In this episode, Cristin explores the healing power of movement through Kinesthetic Cognitive Therapy (KCT), a therapeutic practice developed by dance therapist Erica Hornthal that connects body awareness with emotional regulation and cognitive healing. Whether you consider yourself a dancer or not, this conversation reminds us that movement is medicine. It’s not about choreography — it’s about allowing the body to say what words cannot. Reflection & Integration Prompts What emotions might my body be holding that my words haven’t released? When was the last time I moved simply for joy? What does my body need today? Rest, rhythm, or release? How might I integrate small movements (walking, stretching, dancing) into my daily routines as acts of self-care? What message might my body be trying to send me right now?

    8 min
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About

At Ease is a podcast for black women who have decided to trade hustling for fuller, bolder lives. Whether you quietly quit, took a leap of faith, pursued passion over a paycheck, or are building a side hustle, join Coach Cristin as we redefine success by re-shaping our minds. Cristin combines her lived experience and thought work to help women reconnect with their bodies, combat burnout, and build businesses.

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