Take A Seat Podcast

What if your most aligned year yet begins with one honest question: What is my life asking for next? Cianna Hope sits down again with Katia Hurt, therapist and co-owner of Soulful Bloom Therapy in Nashville, TN. Following her Season 1 appearance in one of the podcast’s most-streamed episodes, Take A Seat With Change , Katia returns to discuss how to turn life pivots into breakthroughs, share pract...

What happens when pursuing a dream while holding down a 9-to-5 requires a reset? Cianna Hope sits down with Morgan Taylor, social strategist by day and founder of Soft Girl Socials by night, who candidly shares her journey as a solopreneur — feeling the fear, leading with faith, and still showing up in corporate. This conversation is for the dreamers, creators, and business owners carving their ow...

 I used to think control was my ally, until life showed me it was actually one of my greatest teachers. In this episode, I reflect on two eye-opening experiences: revisiting Northwestern for homecoming two years post-grad, and an encounter with an Indian family visiting Chicago that challenged me to reassess my perspective on living in America.  Both moments revealed my slowly softening relationsh...

What do your relationships reveal about you—and how do you know when it’s time to audit them? Cianna Hope sits down with therapist and writer Austin Newcomb to dive into Austin Essays—his series of personal reflections on the challenges and truths of navigating your 20s. In this conversation, Austin explores what it means to audit yourself and your friendships, set boundaries that bring clarity, a...

What if our careers aren’t about having the answers, but asking the right questions? Cianna Hope sits down with Bridget Thoreson, founder of My Career River —a community-centered platform for anyone curious about making a career shift but feeling stuck. In this episode, Bridget shares her own story and highlights others who’ve stepped away from the corporate ladder mindset to follow their own “car...

What if success wasn’t about how much you do, but how well you care for yourself while doing it? In this solo episode, I’m opening up about my evolving definition of success—no longer tied to doing more, but to being aligned. If you’re in a season of stretching, questioning, or simply trying to keep up with life while staying grounded in who you are, join me at the table. July's Journal Prompt (27...

What does it mean to grow up in a city that shapes you, and still find the courage to carve your own path? Cianna Hope sits down with friend, creative strategist, and a proud Chicago-native, Nia Robinson, for a heartfelt conversation on identity, career, and community. From childhood memories to pivotal career shifts, they reflect on how passion, self-belief, and courage continue to guide their jo...

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Cianna Hope sits down with friend and political staffer Jordan Jefferson following their run-in last year in D.C. He opens up about how his upbringing in Mississippi shaped his life, shares personal realizations, and reflects on the lessons he’s learned while working alongside Congressman Bennie Thompson, former DNC Chair Jamie Harrison, and, most recently, the Biden-Harris administration. Stay co...

Cianna Hope sits down with Northwestern classmate and friend Ria to reflect on their journey after graduating from their master’s program a year ago. Together, they discuss the key lessons they learned, their return to corporate life,  personal realizations, and their handle on dating. Stay connected (: Instagram: takeaseatpodcast  

Cianna Hope sits down with LA-based entertainment journalist Giana Levy, known for profiling some of the biggest stars in film, culture, and entertainment. In this conversation, Giana reflects on the defining decisions and experiences that have shaped her journey and shares what she’s learned while pursuing her dreams and balancing life as it comes. Stay connected! (: Instagram: @takeaseatpodcast...

Cianna Hope sits down with E—a world-traveling photographer, filmmaker, and author working with some of the biggest names in music, like Glorilla, Future, Latto, Burna Boy, Brent Faiyaz, and more. He opens up about navigating the highs and lows of pursuing his dreams and how a game-changing opportunity with Yo Gotti changed his life.  Stay connected! (: Instagram: @takeaseatpodcast Instagram: @ela...

Cianna Hope sits down with Imoni Moneé, founder of wellness brand Love Through Lotus, to discuss their intentional journeys of growth and innerwork. They share defining moments and lessons that have influenced their paths, along with self-care practices to help you cultivate a life you can happily embrace. Stay connected (: Instagram: @takeaseatpodcast Instagram: @lovethroughlotus

Since stepping away from podcasting, Cianna Hope has been navigating the adventurous journey of adulthood. This season, she’ll blend personal stories, valuable lessons, and inspiring conversations with others dedicated to their own paths of growth and self-discovery.  Stay connected (: Instagram: @takeaseatpodcast

In the final episode of Season 1, Cianna Hope sits down with therapist, Sepideh Speakman, to talk about the importance of forgiveness + the power of the ego. Sepideh takes a deep dive into the trauma response of hurt + shares how through self-acceptance, letting go + having compassion can be the breakthrough moment of living with peace. Stay connected! Instagram: @takeaseatpodcast Be back soon! xo...

 Cianna Hope sits down with therapist, Dr. Ouida Parks, to talk about the power of “no.” Dr. Parks breaks down its meaning, its impact + the response oftentimes associated with it. She also explains how saying “no” confidently can allow one to live healthy, abundantly + freely without feeling guilt or discomfort. Take a seat to learn how saying no is saying yes to freedom.  Let's connect! Instagra...

Cianna Hope sits down with therapist, Katia Hurt, who breaks down the emotional + mental effects of unexpected or uncomfortable change. Katia shares crucial advice on how to release the desire to control, how to accept the present + how to set boundaries with self + others. Let's connect! Instagram/Facebook: @takeaseatpodcast Twitter: @TheTakeASeatPod  

Cianna Hope sits down with financial analyst, Trivia Edwards, to discuss ways to live financially free. Trivia breaks down the how to’s of budgeting, saving + investing along with resources to utilize + to aid in becoming both financially literate and independent. Let's connect! Instagram/Facebook: @takeaseatpodcast Twitter: @TheTakeASeatPod

Cianna Hope sits down with Nakeitra Burse, public health practitioner, maternal health advocate + owner of Six Dimensions , a public health research + development agency. Nakeitra breaks down the systemic causes of health inequities among Black women and suggests what actions must take place in order to reconstruct a healthcare system that’s just for all-- starting in Mississippi. Let's connect! I...

Cianna Hope sits down with Daisy Carter, the executive director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Central Mississippi (NCADD), to talk about her career journey with one of the top leading advocacy organizations in the world. As a leader, mentor, humanitarian + mom, she shares learned lessons, gives career advice and provides ways we can all implement change to better the...

Cianna Hope sits down with mompreneur + wife, Whitney Hunter-Batteast, to discuss how her childbearing journey inspired Pickles & Popsicles, Inc. which connects women navigating to and through mom-life. Whitney also shares revelations about prenatal + postpartum life in hopes to normalize taboo conversations surrounding motherhood. Let's connect! IG: @takeaseatpodcast Twitter: @TheTakeASeatPod IG:...

Cianna Hope sits down to have an honest and transparent moment. Understanding the pressures that life can bring, she shares advice, poses self-reflection questions and speaks affirmations for all who are in need of a recharge. Take a seat for an emotional renewal. Let's connect!  Instagram: @takeaseatpodcast Twitter: @TheTakeASeatPod

Cianna Hope sits down with 1970 Jackson State College campus shooting survivor and community leader, James “Lap” Baker, from Picayune, Mississippi. Mr. Baker reveals how that life-changing tragedy and multiple experiences with discrimination led to his passion of public service and advocacy. He also discusses the current social climate and where do we, as a human race, go from here. Let's connect!...

Cianna Hope sits down with couple, Kim and Allison Reeves, where they share their journey of love through childhood friendship and, now, marriage. They also reveal how their commitment remains a selfless act even through the highs and lows that come with eternal devotion. Take a seat as they share their love story.  Lets connect! Instagram: @takeaseatpodcast Twitter: @TheTakeASeatPod

Cianna Hope sits down with friend and scientist, Kelsey Matthews, to discuss veganism and the importance of healthy eating. They also dive deeper into the inequities of the food industry and health conditions plaguing Black communities— starting with the diet of enslaved Blacks and the modern-day public health system. Take a seat as they highlight the impact of consumption and living a healthier l...