Chapter 2 Finale: Choose Your Own Ending

What you are about to hear is the conclusion of chapter 2 of the Momba Raw and Unfiltered Podcast.

What if embracing change could unlock a whole new dimension of personal and professional growth? Jump down the rabbit hole as I celebrate two years of the Momba Raw and Unfiltered podcast journey—a transformative path that has led me from podcasting to exploring new frontiers like voice acting and audiobook narration. Reflecting on the connections built and the self-doubt overcome, this episode is a heartfelt tribute to the power of seizing opportunities. As I prepare for a brief hiatus to chase further aspirations, I invite you to reflect on your own choices and their potential impact on your future.

In this episode, I express deep gratitude to the incredible dope souls who've supported my journey, from Shelly Trow and Erin Garcia-Fernandez to the inspiring Victor M. Cunningham, whose book "Morning 'Mo' To Go." I have the honor of narrating. The VO Lounge, an online haven for aspiring voice actors in the Skool app, has been pivotal in my growth, and I tip my hat to its founder, Jesse Arthur Carroll. My family—especially my mother and daughters—have been my rock, inspiring resilience and authenticity.

As we wrap up, I urge you to explore the book, "Morning 'Mo' To Go," by Victor M. Cunningham, for a dose of positivity and remind you to keep connected, stay hydrated, and cherish the power of community.

Ancillary Information Mentioned in The Episode:

Jesse Arthur Carroll, Voice Actor/Coach
https://jessecarrollvo.com/

VO Lounge (on the Skool app or your mobile store)
https://www.skool.com/thevolounge

Victor M. Cunningham, Author
Morning "MO" To Go
https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Mo-Go-Victor-Cunningham/dp/B0DPDRN41L
 
✨GoFundMe Campaign✨
(Kickstarter for Verbal VOasis)
💜 https://gofund.m

Chapters

• 0:25 Embracing Opportunities for Personal Growth
• 11:04 Expressing Gratitude and Promoting Connections
• 23:15 Empowering Book Recommendation

Transcript

Blakkmomba: 0:25

Hello Kings and Queens. It's your favorite girl, Blakkmomba. Did you miss me? I know I missed you all and I can't thank you enough for tuning in and hanging out with me today. Can you believe that the Mamba Raw and Unfiltered podcast is entering its third year? Time is truly a construct. I can vividly remember sitting here wondering if I could do this, should I do this, and if anyone in the world would listen to me at all. The same questions that kept me from starting. The same questions that kept me from starting. Amazing the confidence that comes from setting and crushing goals. As of today, the podcast has been downloaded over 1,800 times, heard in over 20 countries and 350 cities, and that is just the analytics from my host site, buzzsprout.

Blakkmomba: 1:30

When jumping down this creative rabbit hole, I never thought my voice would travel so far to all of these places, not to mention the doors that would open to explore and try new things. Looking back over these past two chapters of the podcast, I was blessed to connect with so many dope souls, each of them having a hand in elevating me personally and professionally, connections that would not have been possible if I would have stayed stuck in my head dreaming and not doing. I cannot stress the power of connection enough. The residuals from them can be life-altering. By opening myself up to attract energies whose light reflected mine, it has changed my life for the better. Because of these people, I am no longer chasing dreams. I'm pursuing them with will and determination. If you follow me on social media, you may have learned that I intend to take a brief hiatus from podcasting to establish my dream career as a voice actor, a career I never thought possible or even seriously considered until I made a connection with someone who's seen my potential, made me aware of it and gave me a starting point in the right direction. Because of that one singular connection made via social media over a year ago, I can now say that I am an official voice actor who will be producing and narrating their first audiobook. Now look, I said brief hiatus. Okay, that means a break just to focus on some things I need to do in order to elevate myself personally and professionally. The podcast is here to stay. The point I'm trying to make is that the possibilities are endless when you decide to open and go through doors of opportunity. Possibilities you never considered or even thought of will spring up simply because you chose to explore your gifts and talents. Podcasting opened the door to voice acting. Voice acting opened the door to narrating audiobooks, and that has opened the door for me to return to school, to get my education in business management, and that is going to lead to me owning my very own business. If I had talked myself out of podcasting, this future most likely would not have been realized.

Blakkmomba: 4:35

Choices we all got them. Our lives are a literal rendition of the old school choose your own ending books. The choices you make today will have an impact on your tomorrow. It sounds cliche, but that's facts. Oftentimes we won't see the impact u ntil later on. It isn't until this moment that I realize probabilities that never crossed my mind are now front and center stage, ready to be made real, all because o f a choice

Blakkmomba: 5:15

I made. A choice to silence the self-doubt, fear, uncertainty and just do it. I did not let my being un-knowledgeable or concerned about what the world would think keep me from trying, simply trying. You see, you will know when you are ready for change, for more. Your focus will be singular. Your hunger will be insatiable. You will make a plan and not just talk about it, but be about it, working your plan and attacking your goals. With the completion of goals comes confidence, the confidence you need to elevate and grow. The next goal won't seem so daunting or impossible. Your belief in yourself and your capabilities will be the fuel you need to keep the fire inside you burning alive, giving you the confidence to set new goals and oiling the hinges of doors that once seemed impossibly stuck. Stuck by you.

Blakkmomba: 6:31

I promise that whatever your dreams or goals are, they are made possible through you. Are you hungry for them? Are you allowing self-doubt or not knowing how to start keep you from having the life you desire for yourself? Each day you allow to pass by is a day you will never get back. Time lost. Life is short enough as it is and, if you haven't noticed, the days aren't getting any longer. They actually feel like they're on fast forward.

Blakkmomba: 7:10

But, unlike your favorite streaming platform, you can't rewind, pause or stop time. It is the one commodity every single soul on this earth has stock in, but how much of it? That is something we will never know. You can't trade time, but you can gamble with it. The question is will you see a gain, a return on your gamble with time or will you waste it away, spending it on people, places and things that do not bring you peace, value anything positive to your life? I don't know about you, but I'm done gambling away my time and seeing it waste away on the clock. I've spent majority of my life lost, unanchored, drifting towards a vast sea of nothingness. I've wasted away so much of my precious time doing things that served me no purpose other than to keep me from my purpose, but no longer. No longer. I don't know how much time I have left to play with. I just know I do not want to waste a minute of it any longer.

Blakkmomba: 8:40

I pray you are able to find a way to reflect on your choices today and determine if those choices are creating an atmosphere for personal and professional growth. Look at where you were last year and ask yourself if you want this one to look and feel the same. Ask yourself if you want more and, if so, are you starving, hungry for it and willing to do the work it takes to pursue your desires? I pray you know that you are not alone, that if you are ready for change, opportunity will have no choice but to lead you to doors of connection, where you will locate and find those of like mind and mission who want to help you and see you succeed. With that said, I want to personally thank a few people who, through doors of opportunity, chose to connect with me and help me on this creative journey.

Blakkmomba: 9:53

To the subscribers of the Blakkmomba Effect on Facebook: Rick, Stephanie, Raphael, Latanya, Adonis and Antwone... you all help to keep me encouraged and motivated to keep going, in more ways than you realize, your belief in me means more than you know, and I'm just grateful for you. Thank you so much for choosing to jump down rabbit holes with me and support me on my creative journey. I got nothing but love for y'all, thank you. Then there's Kelvin "Big Papa Teamer, it don't take a whole day to recognize sunshine, and your light is blinding. Thank you for sharing it with me and being the first soul to see my potential in voiceover, pointing the way to get me started and helping me realize that this is something that not only I can do, but do well. I will never forget you, BP.

Blakkmomba: 11:04

To those who planted seeds into my dream by donating and sharing my GoFundMe campaign: Shelly Trow, Erin G arcia-Fernandez, Drex of Drex New Music, Chasity Jeffries, Christopher Perkins, Brandon Moore and Victor Cunningham. I cannot express my gratitude enough for you all. Knowing that there are people like you in the world who see value in what I'm doing makes the work that much more meaningful to me. I promise that your blessing will not be in vain. May you see a return on what you blessed me with times 10. Thank you again for your support.

Blakkmomba: 11:55

Now I don't know how he'll feel about being mentioned, but I absolutely cannot not give a big thank you to Mr Victor M Cunningham, author of "Morning Mode to Go, for not only giving me the pleasure and opportunity to narrate my first audio book, but for being one of the dopest souls I have connected with in a while. It's not often that you get to meet God's favorites, so when you do, believe me, that memory will last for a lifetime. Thank you, sir, for being exactly who you are a child of God who walks his talk. It is clear to see in the words of your book that you have a beautiful spirit. I want you to know, Mr. Victor, that you are a blessing attached to divine timing. It is an honor to have the opportunity to bring the words of your heart to life and I am privileged to have your belief and trust in doing so. May everything you do and touch be blessed.

Blakkmomba: 13:12

I hope you agree to come on the Momba Raw and Unfiltered podcast one day here soon. I would love to have you on to discuss your projects, your life and your mission in this world. Consider this your formal invitation. There are so many of you that I appreciate and you know who you are. You know the vibes and I love and thank you too. But I would be remiss if I did not mention the VO Lounge, the first real, authentic, genuine the list goes on virtual safe space for like-minded individuals outside of my own that I have ever interacted inside of online, ever in life. Now y'all know if it's Momba approved, it's legit and something the world needs to be aware of.

Blakkmomba: 14:13

The VO Lounge is an online community in the Skool app. If you have never heard of the app, that's school, spelled S-K-O-O-L. Accessible online and in your mobile play store. I'll provide links in the show notes. But yes, the VO Lounge, a community created by Jesse Arthur Carroll, voice actor and coach for people interested in establishing themselves as voice actors. I can literally create an entire podcast or write a blog spot about this community alone.

Blakkmomba: 14:54

So I'll try my best not to fangirl so much and get to the point. I cannot help but to plug people, places and things that I find existing in the online universe that are authentic, organic, dope and just simply elevating. The VO Lounge is that place. You feel me? I don't even know how I found myself in this community. It's not on Facebook and it's nothing like any groups on Facebook that I have come across and if you have, please let a sista know and share.

Blakkmomba: 15:32

We need to be more aware of these spaces to help expand and grow communities of substance and value. These places tend to get lost in the ether due to scams and a high consumption rate of content that does not add value to one's life outside of entertainment a distraction from one's life, really, as well as the bigger picture outside of our self-imposed bubbles, the world at large and its social constructs. But I digress. Let me just say that I feel like I won the virtual lottery when I found this place. It has been instrumental in my growth as a voiceover artist. What I love most is the actual community. The people I have encountered thus far have been genuine in their desire to assist and help each other grow in every way you can think of in voiceover. And Jesse, someone who is a rising star in voiceover, is a real gem. He is personable, energetic, committed and, most importantly, authentic Not something you would expect of someone as successful as he is in this industry. So if you are interested in a career in voiceover, I strongly suggest you start your journey there in the VO Lounge. Links will be available in the show notes.

Blakkmomba: 17:09

I save my family, my tribe, for last. My mother is old school and is not that fond of modern times, the internet or technology, and even though she doesn't understand half the things I'm doing and attempting to do, she still gives me the green light through her love and her quiet support, simply because she loves me and she sees the love and passion that I have and lets me be me, do my thing. I see you, mommy. Thank you for the love and the support you have always given me my entire life. I wish the world knew a mother's love like yours. Now, my girls, you are all why I do what I do. You inspire me to be great. I see you looking at me. I am a reflection of you. What you see is unknowingly being planted in you. You see me proud of myself, dedicated, frustrated, working hard. You see everything. The most important thing, you see, though, that will imprint on you is my response to it all, how I allow it to affect me, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, my environment and my relationships with you. It is necessary, vital even, that you, my darlings, see your mother achieve, so that you know for a fact that you can.

Blakkmomba: 19:03

Each of you help me grow daily, as a woman, as a guide, as a teacher. My greatest achievement has been raising you to be you, individual personalities with their own style and tastes, unapologetically. I'm going against the grain here, the machine designed to rot your brain, stifle your creativity and suppress self-esteem, confidence and hope, raising you not to conform. It's a trying job that I work tirelessly but cheerfully. I desire greatness in you. I don't get tired of raising and teaching you.

Blakkmomba: 19:56

You three are my ultimate life's work. If I leave you with anything, know this "Everything is by design. You be the artist, not the muse". Once again, through connection, by being open and willing to allow yourself to carry you, you open the door to allow those of like minds to gravitate towards you. So many of you have connected with me on social media and I have been blessed each time. I am thankful to you all. Here's to the power of connection. Well, beautiful people, I think I'll end it here.

Blakkmomba: 20:43

A nice conclusion to season two, don't you think? We started off discussing the power of connection with dope souls near and far, some known, most unknown, and here we are ending on the same wavelength. I appreciate all of you who tapped in this past season, jumping down rabbit holes with your girl. I got a few ideas baking for season three, but I'd love to know your thoughts. What would you like to hear on the next podcast? How about this? The person who comments the best theme for next season will be invited to come on the show and kick off season three discussing their theme of choice. Sounds good, right?

Blakkmomba: 21:31

Well, if you aren't following me by now, here is your chance. You can find me as Blackkmomba B-L-A-K-K-M-O-M-B-A on your favorite social media platforms, and you can also follow the podcast Momba Raw and Unfiltered on all platforms as well. Check out the show notes for direct links. I am looking forward to your ideas. If you are interested in following my voiceover journey, please give me a follow at Verbal VOasis that's V-O-A-S-I-S on social media or by visiting the website. Those links are provided below as well.

Blakkmomba: 22:23

I want Verbal VOasis to be a legitimate business that provides professional voiceover services. This is my passion career, and if you are able and willing to plant a seed in helping this dream become a reality, I invite you to check out my GoFundMe campaign to kickstart Verbal VOasis. There you can read about my story and why I am calling on the community's support. There are donation perks as well as a breakdown of what I need for transparency. If, after checking it out, you feel moved to donate or share my campaign with others, know that I sincerely appreciate your support. Look for the link to my GoFundMe campaign in the show notes.

Blakkmomba: 23:15

Lastly, I would love for you to go on over to Amazon right now and purchase your copy of "Morning Mo to go by the beautiful dope soul, Mr. Victor M. Cunningham. If you are in the market for positivity and motivation at your fingertips anytime, anywhere, then this book is for you, and I'm not just saying that because I've been blessed to narrate it. It's because it's the truth. Uhh... d Do you actually think I would lend my voice to any project that was not in alignment with who I am, my mindset or my life? Go check it out and see for yourself why his book is amazing, refreshing and higher vibrational.

Blakkmomba: 24:10

The audiobook will be available soon, so be on the lookout to hear your girl bringing this book to life. In the show notes you will find a direct link to the book. Give Mr. Victor a follow and please leave him a review. Thank you again, everybody, for tapping in. Rest assured I'll be back. Wait for me. Until then Kings and Queens, I bid you farewell and ask that you do me a favor before you go... Be good, be safe, stay healthy and drink your water. Water is life. P peace, love and light.