State of Mine

Our Season One finale! In this episode, hosts Lia Neal and Kanwulia Gwam reflect on intentions for 2026. They share habits (bedtime tea, nightly reflection via dictation), permissions (reality TV, enjoying the present), and Q2 plans and close by expressing gratitude for a vibrant Q1, inviting audience feedback, and teasing season two. 💌 Follow State of Mine Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/po...

This episode centers on lessons from mothers—one from China/Hong Kong to New York, the other from Nigeria to Switzerland to the U.S.—highlighting adaptability, resourcefulness, work ethic, faith/optimism, and “go where you’re wanted.” Kanwulia and Lia examine which lessons to unlearn, including nonstop productivity, poor rest habits, and limited vocabulary for feelings, and reflect on how immigran...

In this episode of State of Mine, co-hosts Kanwulia Gwam and Lia Neal explore perception, personal branding, and authenticity. Using Paris Hilton’s deliberate, recognizable brand and her ability to leverage public perception to achieve philanthropic and political goals, they consider how everyday people also have brands—what others say about them when they’re not in the room—and the gap between se...

In this episode of State of Mine, Kanwulia Gwam and Lia Neal discuss adult friendships and finding community after life transitions and moves. Lia shares how moving to Indiana post-college taught her to be intentional about making friends through existing communities like work, church small groups, and a boxing gym, emphasizing shared interests and repeated touchpoints. They discuss capacity limit...

In this episode of State of Mine , co-hosts Kanwulia Gwam and Lia Neal explore how comparison becomes a conditioned habit—and how it can steal joy when it turns into self-rejection. They trace early roots of comparison to external influences (a teacher publicly returning geometry exams from highest to lowest score, and family/cultural norms of comparing kids), then discuss how competitive swimming...

In this episode of State of Mine, co-hosts Kanwulia Gwam and Lia Neal unpack the idea of “chaotic ambition,” sparked by a LinkedIn post from Alexis Barber describing “too many lanes, not enough intention.” Kanwulia relates it to doing everything at once—anxiety-driven overcommitment in undergrad while trying to choose an engineering major—while Lia connects it to the opposite extreme: tunnel-visio...

In this episode of 'State of Mind,' hosts Lia Neal and Kanwulia Gwam explore the concept of hobbies and guilty pleasures, challenging traditional views by highlighting the importance of leisure activities for mental rest and creativity. They discuss their personal hobbies, from TV shows like 'Industry' and 'Sex in the City' to creative pursuits like DJ-ing and writing. The conversation delves into...

Lia and Kanwulia explore the ideas of Self-One and Self-Two from Carrie Soto Is Back , reflecting on striving versus being and how these concepts show up in their own lives.

In this episode, Lia and Kanwulia reflect on what it looks like to commit differently this year. They unpack their respective themes of “commit” and “less is more,” and how those ideas show up in real decisions around time, energy, and priorities. The conversation explores the tension between saying yes and protecting your capacity, learning to listen to your inner compass, and recognizing when di...

Lia and Kanwulia discuss the inception of their podcast and introduce themselves, delving into their backgrounds and journeys. They highlight the importance of setting boundaries, learning from experiences, and embracing self-development. Both reflect on lessons learned in 2025, including the value of intentionality and the courage to quit unproductive paths. Looking forward to 2026, they express...

State of Mine is a podcast about the in-between. For people who followed the rules, hit the milestones, and still found themselves asking, now what? Recorded in New York City, the show explores alignment, recalibration, identity, and what it means to redefine success on one’s own terms. Hosts Lia Neal and Kanwulia Gwam draw from their personal journeys across the Olympics, Ivy League education, to...