The Pleasure Priority

Join Coach Amber and her Creative Director Damaly Shepherd for an interview on the evolution of Amber's coaching philosophies and practices through Amber's own personal experiences and her thousands of hours of coach time with hundreds of women inspiring the rebrand: Closer Closer is the culmination of Amber's work as a coach thus far. It's the unique 1:1 coaching experience attach...

Soft life doesn't mean no difficulties friend In this no-fluff, kick-in-the-pants episode of The Pleasure Priority Podcast , Amber breaks down the real reason you need to do hard things—and how resilience is a skill, not a personality trait. From the secret sexism of city trees to the misunderstood "soft life" trend, we explore why challenges are inevitable, but suffering doesn't...

In this episode, host Coach Amber shares a self-trust and embodiment hack that shatters imposter syndrome. She shares her own struggles with other methods including the future you exercises and how she edited them to resonate and actually be helpful for her now. She explains this process and shows you how to make it your own. Amber shares insights from one of her own recent sessions and how unreso...

In this episode, Amber delves into the realities and implications of reality TV dating shows, specifically focusing on the latest season of 'Temptation Island.' She critiques the show for capitalizing on entertainment over everything by promoting harmful stereotypes and predatory tropes, such as the 'boys will be boys' mentality, the double standards between men and women and how t...

In this episode, Amber explores the topic of self-judgment and how it hinders personal growth and goal attainment. Drawing from recent client conversations and psychological studies, Amber argues that self-judgment and self-criticism are learned behaviors that serves our oppressors more than they serves us. They are optional practices, not necessary or required to make change. We can choose differ...

In this episode, Amber discusses her personal journey and evolving views on marriage, relationships, and monogamy as a happily divorced woman. She shares her early beliefs around love/relationships/marriage being equated to worthiness, wholeness, lovability, and the societal and systemic influences that reinforced these notions. She recounts her struggles with self-worth, especially as a black chi...

In this episode, Amber breaks down the life hack of approaching new or scary things with the confidence and audacity of a cis-het white man. She explores questions around how this way of thinking became their default mindset and our rallying cry. She explores how they created their own permission for delusional self belief at the expense of everyone else. Then she breaks down how you can adopt and...

In this episode of The Pleasure Priority Podcast, Amber discusses the current FAFO (Fuck Around and Find Out) movement, emphasizing its relevance to Black women resting and self-care. The conversation reflects on the critical role black women have played in pushing social movements forward and the need for us to rest following the 92% turnout in recent U.S. elections that still didn't produce...

In this episode of the Pleasure Priority Podcast, Amber revisits the 'Body Answers' exercise to help listeners differentiate between 'yes,' 'no,' and 'resistance' responses through physical sensations. By grounding themselves and conducting control tests and creating decision statements, listeners can cut through the noise of their brains and understand their body’s...

In this episode, Amber concludes the RISE Relationship Matrix series by focusing on the final letter E and the importance of Excitement in relationships. This series and this tool were created to help clients develop healthy supportive relationships fostered in authenticity and aligned connection. This episode explores how all types of relationship dynamics can lack excitement and the negative imp...

In this episode, Amber discusses how we can create security even amid national and global instability. She focuses on creating that safety in ourselves and our relationships first because that’s what ripples out to society at large and what gives us the capacity to handle anything that life can throw at us. In the third installment of this series, Amber breaks down how we can create secure attachm...

In this episode Amber talks about how to identify unintelligent relationships, how to foster your own emotional intelligence and determine if other’s have the level of emotional intelligence compatible with you, so that you create beneficial relationships and always move in your best interest. Amber defines intelligence and emotional intelligence, emphasizing the ability to apply knowledge and man...

In this episode, Amber explains the signs of unreliable relationships that leave you unsupported and disconnected from yourself. She shows the path of how to shift your relationships to being Reliable so you know who you can trust and how to feel safe in trusting them. Amber introduces her tool, the RISE Relationship Matrix, in this 4 part series highlighting each pillar starting with R - Reliable...

In the first episode of 2025, Amber addresses the most common barriers to achieving goals despite the goal setting method used. Amber explains how unresolved feelings of shame, disappointment, anger, etc. hinder your ability to achieve your goals effectively. As goal setting season is in full effect, Amber highlights how to incorporate the crucial component of forgiveness into your goal setting pr...

In the last episode of 2024, Amber invites you to reflect on your journey through life this year. A comprehensive inventory highlighting both the positive and challenging moments will guide how you evaluate progress and set intentions. This episode emphasizes the importance of celebrating everything you want more of, so you can continue to create more of it. Amber leaves you with her heartfelt poe...

In this episode, Amber speaks to the recent events of the United Healthcare scandal and the collective response of the residents of the US. She explores how so many people can be so indifferent, even celebratory towards the violent loss of life for an ‘innocent’ man, which brings about a discussion on the necessity of rage. Amber walks through what rage is at a fundamental level, what to do with i...

In this episode, Amber delves into the topic of avoidance, distinguishing it from procrastination and identifying its three key drivers: fear-based, safety-based, and desire-based avoidance. Amber provides detailed explanations for each driver and offers actionable solutions to understand and conquer avoidance. So not only how to recognize when you are being avoidant and how it's affecting you but...

In this episode Amber navigates the guilty/gross feelings you can get around your family during the holidays. She challenges the societal norms that mandate familial obligations, especially when they come at the cost of one's emotional and physical well-being. She emphasizes that visiting family and all that comes with it, isn't actually mandatory, especially if it leads to discomfort or stress. T...

In this episode, Amber emphasizes the importance of allowing yourself to break free from harmful relationships, regardless of familial ties. The discussion revolves around the detrimental effects of forgiving and maintaining connections with those who repeatedly cause harm. Highlighting a listener's question, Amber breaks down how to differentiate between relationships worth growing from and those...

In this episode, Amber shares how to find joy again after the US Presidential election results. She explains how prioritizing your pleasure, especially for those of us that hold identities as Black, women/people socialized as women, and the LGBTQIA+ community, is a revolutionary act and the most impactful work we can focus on. Spoiler alert, that work is not social justice/reform, civil rights etc...

In this episode of the Pleasure Priority Podcast, Amber starts with an Ask Amber segment dealing with the aftermath of a romantic relationship breakup. She analyzes the situation, highlighting the importance of honest communication, the effects of power dynamics in relationships, and the strength in accepting and respecting boundaries. She then goes on to offer thoughtful advice and a breakdown on...

In the milestone 100th episode of the Pleasure Priority Podcast, host Amber celebrates by introducing a new segment called 'Ask Amber,' where listeners can seek advice for their real-life dilemmas. This episode features discussions on maintaining familial boundaries during challenging times, the importance of honesty and transparency in your relationships, and how to be intentional and present wit...

In this episode of the Pleasure Priority Podcast, Amber delves into the 'Ex-Professional Good Girl' persona, the first of five relationship personas discussed on the show breaking down each of the results from the Relationship Personality Quiz. The episode explores the journey of ‘good girl’ archetype who have adhered to societal rules, excelled academically and professionally, and prioritized oth...

In this episode, Amber discusses the challenges of executive dysfunction and burnout, particularly for Black and neurodivergent individuals. The episode offers insights on recognizing and addressing these issues, emphasizing the importance of reshaping one's relationship with executive functioning. It explores defining executive function and dysfunction, the impact on mental health, and the risks...

In this episode, Amber delves into the concepts of masking and code switching, their differences, similarities, causes and the impact they have, especially on neurodivergent individuals. Masking is discussed as the act of hiding one's neurodivergent traits to appear neurotypical, often in response to trauma and survival needs, while code switching involves changing languages or behaviors to fi...