Gettin’ Grown – “New Year Reflections (2018–2025)”

Host: Loud Speakers Network
Date: January 13, 2026
Hosts: Dr. Kia & Jade
Theme: Reflecting on the New Year, goal setting (the SMART framework), lessons from past years, Black women’s self-care, disaster/emergency preparedness, and community resilience

Episode Overview

This episode of Gettin’ Grown is a heartfelt, humorous, and practical conversation about New Year's intentions, the power of SMART goals, self-reflection, Black women’s self-care, and the crucial lessons of preparedness amid modern emergencies. Kia and Jade revisit lessons from the past several years, blending personal stories, social commentary, and crowd-sourced wisdom from the Gettin’ Grown community. The duo also unpacks the realities of living through ongoing crises—including climate disasters, political turmoil, and a perpetual pandemic—while offering a toolkit for resilience and collective care.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. SMART Goals—A Framework for Real Growth

• Timestamps: [01:08]–[19:52]
• The hosts revisit the classic SMART goal framework, breaking it down for listeners:
  • Specific – Clearly defining what, why, and how.
    • Jade shares: Her cooking show plans—specifying format, guests, locations, and prep.
    • Kia shares: Planning a “Team Typing Fast & Taking Care” event in another city, focusing on the need for safe, affirming spaces for Black women.
  • Measurable – How will you know you’re making progress?
    • Examples: Identifying sponsorships, booking venues, building teams, and setting deadlines.
  • Achievable/Attainable – Ensuring goals stretch you but remain realistic.
    • Kia (09:30): “I'm a tall woman… my body shape… it is not feasible for me to be 120 pounds… It is attainable for me to say I want to be 150.”
  • Results-Focused – Focusing on outcomes, not just activities.
    • “The result… is actual sponsorship, not all the things I’m doing to get it.” [17:00]
  • Time-Bound – Setting practical, urgent, but flexible deadlines.
    • Life happens; pushing deadlines is okay, but don’t let that derail you. [19:52]
• Notable Quote (Kia):

  “A lot of times… deadlines, or the time-specific markers that you set for yourself… are written in pencil… be flexible and adaptable.”

• Takeaway: Achievable, specific, results-based goals set the stage for real progress and resilience.

2. Lessons Learned from Mistakes and Self-Talk

• Timestamps: [23:45]–[41:16]
• Embracing Mistakes:
  • Kia (26:15): “There is great value in messing up… I learned that nothing is wasted… the quicker I come to that perspective… the quicker I can come to some peace about it and be open to the lesson.”
  • Mistakes are inevitable; progress is in the learning and not dwelling in self-blame.
• Transforming Self-Talk:
  • Jade: Shifts from calling herself “broke” to saying “I don’t have it right now,” reframing scarcity into possibility.
  • Kia: Talks about how negative self-talk is deeply ingrained, especially for Black women, and how community and affirmations help disrupt this cycle.
  • Kia (37:33): “If I heard somebody talking about Jade the way that I talk about myself, we would be boxing.”
• Community as Correction:
  • Support systems correct negative patterns—friends holding each other accountable to speak life, not limitation.
  • Generational patterns: “There’s this common narrative amongst Black women… ‘She thinks she’s special,’ and it’s frowned upon to affirm yourself,” Kia reflects.
• Key Insight: Positive self-talk is both healthy and necessary for manifesting the futures we want.

3. Adulting, Preparedness, and Practical Resilience

• Timestamps: [41:36]–[79:09]
• Everyday Adulting:
  • Kia details practical steps for being prepared: “Make sure you have gas in your vehicle, keep a little cash, know where your passport is, have a plan and meeting spots for emergencies, keep key documents in waterproof/fireproof containers.”
  • Jade shares: Emergency backpacks from Amazon/Bed Bath & Beyond and the importance of prepping for pets and specialized needs.
• Emergency Kit Must-Haves:
  • Bottled water (1 gallon per person/day), canned goods, powdered milk, specialty foods, first aid, flashlights, documents (IDs, insurance, etc.), tools, pet supplies.
  • “We pray we won’t need these things… but you never know…” [46:09]
• Community Disaster Response:
  • The conversation pivots to recent wildfires in California—loss of generational homes, community, and the importance of organizing emergency support collectively.
  • Jade reminds: “It’s not just about material loss but memories—generations and entire communities lost.”
• Key Insight: Adulting is about accepting new responsibilities, especially for loved ones. Preparedness is a form of self- and community-care.

4. Processing Collective Trauma—Capitol Insurrection & Beyond

• Timestamps: [52:54]–[75:19]
• The hosts share candid reflections on January 6 events at the US Capitol, connecting white supremacy, systemic double standards, and emotional/mental exhaustion.
  • Kia (55:49): “Our democracy—air quotes—these famed principles continue to be proven false… It’s hard to carry on business as usual.”
  • Jade: Satirical, cathartic take on watching events unfold, finding humor and peace with food and wine as a way of coping.
• Black Americans’ unique relationship to crisis, humor as resistance (“We laugh to get through. It’s a gift from God.” [73:51])
• Notable Quotes:

  “This is white people’s problem. It’s not my bag to carry.” – Jade [75:03]

5. Self-Care, Reflections, and Resetting the New Year

• Timestamps: [82:28]–[117:23]
• Jade and Kia open up about their own holiday experiences—grappling with loss, pandemic disruptions, embracing stillness, and finding contentment with their current lives.
• Community responses:
  • The Gettin’ Grown family shares practices like intentional rest, reflection, gratitude, and “not looking at email, sitting in the sunshine, reading, drinking water, exploring art.”
• On tradition:
  • “It’s about honoring tradition without being beholden to it… Tradition is only good when it serves us.” [113:53]
• Importance of vulnerability:
  • “The holidays were challenging for me… But I feel like this year, I was able to miss what it was, but appreciate what it is.” – Kia [108:55]

6. Building a Practical Go-Bag and Community Disaster Planning

• Timestamps: [117:24]–[139:47]
• Lists of “go bag” essentials—from ID and health information to sentimental items, accessibility for folks with disabilities, and the value of sharing resources within community.
• Jade (120:06): “I realize I need to keep emergency things in a particular area…have a system where we can ‘grab and go.’”
• Don’t forget pets, glasses/contacts, medications, handwritten contact numbers, paper maps (“We’ve become so reliant on technology our skills are rusty” [135:17]).
• Community plan:
  • Discuss in advance who has what resources—generators, water, space for others—to establish neighborhood/extended community safety nets.

7. Community Aid, Giving, and Bigger Lessons

• Timestamps: [140:05]–[159:32]
• Emphasis on giving back—links to support Black families affected by climate disasters, food banks, wildfire recovery, direct aid.
• “Thoughts and prayers are not enough… We must support communities in real, material ways.”
• Checking the Narrative:
  • Push back on scapegoating people of color or marginalized leaders for climate and disaster response; name arsonists, denounce climate denialism, and insist on truthful, systemic analysis.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [09:30] Kia: “Physically… it is not feasible for me to be 120 pounds… so you want your goals to be attainable.”
• [26:15] Kia: “There is great value in messing up… the quicker that I come to the realization that this is part of the plan, the quicker I get some peace.”
• [37:33] Kia: “If I heard someone talk about Jade like I talk about myself, we would be boxing.”
• [55:49] Kia: “We are real live experiencing a 2021 reprise of the War of 1812…”
• [75:03] Jade: “This is white people’s problem. This is not my bag to carry.”
• [108:55] Kia: “I was able to miss what it was but appreciate what it is… It’s different, and it may not always be what it is and that’s okay.”
• [120:06] Jade: “Every chance I get, I realize if you’re not already prepared, what would you grab and when…”
• [131:07] Kia: “Let’s just get it together now… Not over-consuming, but organizing our homes so they’re not a hazard, you can easily grab and go.”
• [138:27] Kia: “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”

Listener’s Toolkit: Practical Advice, Resources, and Actions

• SMART Goals: Break down big visions into sustainable, specific steps.
• Emergency Kits: Prepare go-bags with food, water, documents, meds, pet supplies, and sentimental items. Make them accessible.
• Community Planning: Know your network's resources; collective preparedness = collective safety.
• Self-Care Rituals: Prioritize rest, self-affirmation, positive language, and community check-ins.
• Support for Disaster Relief: Donate to direct aid orgs for wildfire/disaster survivors (see show notes/linktree).
• Reflect on What to Leave/Carry Forward: Set intentional boundaries with work, rest, and relationships.
• Vulnerability is Strength: Name your anxieties and connect with others—no one has to carry heavy loads alone.

Final Thoughts

Gettin’ Grown’s “New Year Reflections” episode is a masterclass in approaching adulthood, ongoing crisis, and personal transformation through careful goal-setting, radical honesty, humor, and the power of Black women’s community. Jade and Kia remind us that even when the world is on fire—sometimes literally—preparation, self-compassion, and collective care create meaningful resilience.

Resource Links:
See the Gettin’ Grown linktree for:

• Disaster Planning 2025 guide (with go-bag/emergency checklist)
• Mutual aid & disaster relief donations
• FEMA resources and more

Summary prepared for those who want the wisdom, laughter, and tools—without the ads or small talk. Stay ready, stay loved, and stay grown!