It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin

Hi! This Season we are dialed into becoming the best version of ourselves. This episode is about maxing out on spiritually seriousness. I reflect on struggles with self-worth, especially around dating, partnership, and a growing desire to have a child. Self-love is the core work that is making my life easier. After a dark 90 days, feeling disconnected and weary I decide to take a trip to Hawaii to surf. We also talk about hobbies, making good friends who remind you to be hot and how my self talk got better with this affirmation I have you do with me. Repeat after me...“I am amazing.”00:00 Welcome and Season Theme00:29 Spiritual Identity Defined01:54 Self Love and Worth04:30 Love Partnership Desires06:40 Too Spiritual Not Grounded12:08 Experiences Over Things14:20 Booking Hawaii Reset16:13 Hobbies and Joy Return18:49 Friends and Self Talk20:51 Affirmation Practice22:19 Hawaii Surfing Outro23:18 Newsletter and Farewell Connect with Delina:⁠ Instagram @delinamedhin ⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠ YouTube @delinamedhin⁠ Threads @delinamedhin⁠ Website ⁠www.delinamedhin.com

Devi Brown, a leading voice in wellness and spiritual growth and one of the most sought-after wellness educators blending meditation, breathwork, metaphysical philosophy, and spiritual psychology to guide artists, athletes, and executives toward holistic healing, joins us to explore what it truly means to care for yourself in a world that constantly pulls you out of your center. Devi shares how her work in meditation, breathwork, and spiritual psychology has shaped a deeply personal and transformative approach to healing, one that goes far beyond surface-level self-care. She opens up about why anxiety is a natural response to the times we’re living in, how self-care evolves into a daily, embodied practice, and the importance of learning how to be with yourself through every season of life. She also speaks on the difference between the culturally conditioned self and the authentic self, what it really means to feel “called” to help others, and why healing is a lifelong journey, not a destination. Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with’. Have you ever asked yourself…“how can I be happier, healthier, peaceful, famous, powerful, or successful?” When you want change, your life will shift, you let go, and begin to trust other people. This new energy will attract new people & create momentum in your life that reveals your purpose. Awareness is life’s balancing tool and you are in the right place at the right time, always. 00:00 Meet Debbie Brown 01:14 Why Self-Care Matters 03:55 Centering as a Practice 05:55 Working With Anxiety 10:47 Slow Reading Into Wisdom 15:22 Healing vs. Healer 22:18 Cultural vs. Authentic Self 26:47 Beauty as Healing 35:31 Claiming Your Whole Self 36:51 Beauty as Service 37:24 Navigating Identity Shifts 46:49 Two-Year Becoming Cycle 49:10 Fear and Self-Regulation 56:43 Boundaries Take Practice 01:01:13 It Takes a Village 01:08:07 Purpose and Final Blessing Learn more about Devi Brown: Devi Brown is a wellness educator, author, and creative advisor known for her integrative approach to healing that blends meditation, breathwork, and spiritual psychology. Her work is rooted in trauma-informed facilitation and draws from both her lived experience and multidisciplinary studies. She previously served as Chief Impact Officer at Chopra Global and is now the founder of her own platform focused on holistic wellbeing. Devi is also the host of the Deeply Well podcast and the author of Crystal Bliss and Living in Wisdom , offering guidance on self-awareness, healing, and personal transformation. She also serves on the board of the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies. Listen to Devi’s podcast Deeply Well Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3n5hEIVLquNRPipeKTFJOi Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deeply-well-with-devi-brown/id1458578448 Check out her book Living in Wisdom: A Path to Embodying Your Authentic Self, Embracing Grief, and Developing Self-Mastery here: https://bit.ly/4p3WYKW Connect with Devi: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/devibrown/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DeviBrown/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpwYaqkP8TVE2UjpKlw9fw LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/devibrown/ Website https://www.devibrown.com/about Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠ TikTok @delinamedhin⁠ YouTube @delinamedhin⁠ Threads @delinamedhin ⁠ Website ⁠ www.delinamedhin.com

This episode is sponsored by Pura x Malala Fund Collection. Shop Now pura.com https://pura.com/pages/malala-fund?srsltid=AfmBOoq5mKy6hkDrhGlbx26HO3GgrN68ZY8QkJWZWECUwa-lHjVBvb-l I reflect on a re-energizing week in New York City and the emotional clarity that came from returning with fresh eyes. I talk about the energetic difference I feel between Brooklyn and Manhattan, then revisit the deeper purpose of It Takes A Village and season five’s focus on becoming the best version of yourself through honesty, healing, and community. I explore the complicated nature of gratitude and explain why I don’t believe true gratitude can be forced. Sometimes gratitude exists alongside grief, anger, uncertainty, and sadness. Inspired by a conversation with my friend Denise Sanchez, @theguidedself . I share a “rage on a page” practice and how allowing myself to fully feel anger became an unexpected doorway into peace and emotional release. I also recap attending Texture On Set and The Makeup Show/iArtist, sharing how surreal it felt to teach on stage in New York and realize I no longer feel attached to external validation or career ego, even while the Met Gala was happening simultaneously across the city. A meaningful conversation with James Vincent became a full-circle moment that reflected just how much my relationship to success, ambition, and self-worth has evolved. Throughout the episode, I open up about grieving a recent relationship while simultaneously feeling deep gratitude for my life, health, friendships, and spiritual growth. I reflect on learning to hold duality of understanding that sadness, joy, anger, hope, and gratitude can all exist at the same time , and close with a heartfelt prayer of thanks. I am hosting a free May 24th meditation and connection event in Los Angeles for listeners subscribed to my newsletter. Subscribe by visiting www.delinamedhin.com. 00:00 Pura Malala Intro 00:17 Welcome Back Village 01:28 Why Gratitude Is Hard 02:52 Rage on a Page 04:05 NYC Events Recap 07:42 Full Circle on Stage 11:32 Ego Dissolving Lessons 12:52 Pura Malala Ad Break 13:29 Choosing Presence and Gratitude 15:19 Not Knowing the Future 18:25 Wellness and Daily Practice 19:02 Grieving a Relationship 22:20 Holding Duality Together 24:38 Prayer of Thanks 26:47 Closing and LA Event Invite Connect with Delina:⁠ Instagram @delinamedhin ⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠ YouTube @delinamedhin⁠ Threads @delinamedhin⁠ Website ⁠www.delinamedhin.com

Mara Dumski, Chief Fragrance Experience Officer at Pura and former executive at International Flavors & Fragrances, joins us to talk all about building a career at the intersection of art, science, and emotion. With over 25 years at International Flavors & Fragrances, Mara shares how her background as a classically trained soprano shaped the way she understands scent and how she learned to “smell with her musical ear” while working alongside some of the world’s most legendary perfumers.She opens up about her unexpected leap from New York City to Utah to join Pura, a then-early-stage tech startup, and how she helped build a fragrance house inside a technology company from the ground up. From translating fine fragrance into air to redefining how we experience scent in our homes, Mara breaks down the artistry, innovation, and risk-taking behind creating immersive, emotionally-driven fragrance experiences.Mara also shares the deeper meaning behind scent—how it connects to memory, mood, and identity and why your home deserves the same level of intention as the fragrance you wear. She also takes us inside Pura’s most meaningful collaborations, including their work with the Malala Fund, where fragrance is used to tell stories of girls around the world fighting for access to education.Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with’. Have you ever asked yourself…“how can I be happier, healthier, peaceful, famous, powerful, or successful?” When you want change, your life will shift, you let go, and begin to trust other people. This new energy will attract new people & create momentum in your life that reveals your purpose. Awareness is life’s balancing tool and you are in the right place at the right time, always.00:00 Introduction03:45 Music to Perfumery06:26 Leaving IFF for Pura08:03 Founders Pitch and Vision11:09 Leap of Faith to Utah14:20 Nose vs Scent Designer15:43 Designing for Air Diffusion17:29 Favorite Scents and Collabs19:40 Building a Fragrance House24:03 Day to Day and Innovation26:50 Why Home Scent Matters28:18 Scenting Your Space28:50 App Schedules and Controls31:00 From Music to Fragrance33:01 Fragrance Pyramid Basics35:00 Formulating for Diffusers37:58 Clean Safety Standards39:54 Malala Fund Scents46:40 Why Pura Inspires48:43 Car Scent Breakthrough51:42 Mentors and GratitudeLearn more about Mara Dumski:Mara Dumski is the Chief Fragrance Experience Officer at Pura, where she leads the creative direction of scent development and experience design. Before joining Pura, she spent over two decades at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), one of the world’s most influential fragrance houses.With a background in classical voice from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Mara brings a unique perspective to fragrance, blending music, emotion, and storytelling to create scents that enhance how people experience everyday life.Connect with MaraInstagram https://www.instagram.com/maradwest/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mara-dumski-5231512a Connect with Delina:⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠TikTok @delinamedhin⁠YouTube @delinamedhin⁠Threads @delinamedhin⁠ Website ⁠www.delinamedhin.com

What is your relationship with exercise? Let me know below.During the pandemic I changed my relationship with exercise. I also introduced you to the trainer who stregthened that relationship who was on Ep.29 Tiara Howard, How Can I be happy in my body.This episode youre listening to is talking about the deep effect of Exercise. It has contributed to healing my depression and has been a natural way to produce Serotonin and Dopamine in the body. Be kind to your body and treat her to a good relationship.00:00 Welcome to Season Five00:26 Exercise for Feel Good Chemicals01:36 Simple Workout Mindset02:15 Exercise as Self Love03:29 Habits and Morning Routine Reset06:08 Workout and Mental Health08:17 Community Vibration and Body Care09:10 Family Culture and Fitness Legacy11:57 Self Regulation Without Substances12:43 Final Thoughts and Newsletter Connect with Delina:⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://threads.net/@delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠www.delinamedhin.com⁠⁠ Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.delinamedhin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

I reflect on gratitude, community, and perspective while sharing a recent experience at a spiritual party. We also do a brief meditation together and I tell a personal story about a cracked tooth. Timestamps 0:00 — Intro & Season 5 Theme0:48 — The Power of Giving1:00 — Moving to LA & Finding Community2:14 — The Spiritual Party4:12 — Reflections on Community & Energy 5:06 — Guided Meditation6:47 — Gratitude Brings You into the Present7:51 — The Cracked Tooth Story10:19 — The Universe Responds11:24 — The Reframe12:40 — Call to Action: Reframe This Week Connect with Delina:⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠http://threads.net/@delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠www.delinamedhin.com⁠⁠ Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠http://www.delinamedhin.com⁠⁠⁠

Sign up for my newsletter to find out the location of the LA Meetup -> www. ittakesavillagepod.com In the first video solo episode, I’m opening Season 5 of It Takes a Village with the first video-recorded solo episode of the season. I'm reflecting on how this show has evolved, from recording on Zoom in the early days, to interviewing beauty founders in New York, to now stepping into a more produced format while still holding onto what has always mattered most to me: community. I talk about what the last two years have looked like since moving from New York to Los Angeles, and how that transition impacted me in ways I didn’t expect. My style changed, my brand alignments shifted, and I found myself in a period where I wasn’t building or holding community in the way I once did. It took time, but I finally feel settled, grounded, and ready to create again in a more intentional way. This episode is really about returning to that original intention of building a village, but doing it in a way that reflects who I am today. I share my plans to start hosting in-person gatherings here in LA, something simple like a hike or a beach walk, followed by conversation, connection, and support. A space where we can meet each other in real life and remember that we’re not meant to do any of this alone. I also open the door for those of you who aren’t in Los Angeles. If you’re interested in an online version of this kind of community, I want to hear from you. And beyond that, I encourage you to create your own. Community doesn’t have to be complicated. It can start small. What matters is the intention to connect. This conversation is also about loneliness, and the reality that so many of us are feeling it in different ways right now. My hope is that this season, and these gatherings, become a reminder that connection is still available to us, and that we have the power to create it. If you want to stay close to everything I’m building this year, sign up for the newsletter at ittakesavillagepod.com. That’s where I’ll be sharing details about upcoming meetups and ways to be part of this next chapter. I’m so grateful you’re here, and I’m really excited for what we’re building together. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Season Five 00:54 How the Show Has Evolved 02:38 Moving to LA Changed Me 04:12 Making Space for Community Again 05:00 Planning In-Person Meetups in LA 07:19 Opening the Door for Online Community 08:37 Why In-Person Connection Matters Right Now 09:51 Start Your Own Community 11:00 Loneliness and Taking Small Steps 11:43 Closing + Newsletter Connect with Delina:⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠http://threads.net/@delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠www.delinamedhin.com⁠⁠ Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠http://www.delinamedhin.com⁠⁠

In this episode, I’m back to sharing how the show has evolved. What started as an exploration of the “who” and “how” behind building a village has shifted into a deeper question: who are you, and how are you building yourself up? I talk about why I’ve been recording more audio episodes lately, and I introduce the idea of “energetic weather.” I’ve been noticing how we often sync emotionally with the people around us, especially when we’re operating at similar vibrations. Drawing from six years of interviewing major beauty founders, along with my own experience creating beauty content, I reflect on what actually creates peace and success. For me, it’s not about personas. It’s about self-work, self-love, and true alignment. In this episode, I invite you to choose what genuinely brings you joy, to have faith in your future, and to practice speaking to yourself with kindness. I really believe that when you’re in alignment, you attract the right people, and the “how” starts to feel a lot easier. If this resonates, share the episode with someone who needs it, and join my newsletter to stay connected for upcoming LA events. Newsletter sign up -> www.ittakesavillagepod.com 00:00 Welcome to Season Five01:23 Energetic Weather Check02:24 Vibration and Your Circle03:33 Why This Show Exists04:44 Success Needs Self Work06:21 My Content Misalignment08:41 Creators and Purpose10:25 Fear of Leaving the Old13:50 Faith and Future Vision14:42 Guided Affirmations16:32 Raise Your Vibration Daily18:49 Kindness and Connection19:40 Share and Live Events20:30 Closing Goodbye Connect with Delina:⁠Instagram ⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠ TikTok ⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠ Threads ⁠⁠ ⁠http://threads.net/@delinamedhin⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠www.delinamedhin.com⁠⁠ Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: ⁠⁠ ⁠https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook⁠⁠⁠ Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: ⁠⁠ ⁠http://www.delinamedhin.com⁠⁠

In this episode of It Takes a Village , I reflect on how friendships shape our mindset and ultimately our lives. I share a lesson that stayed with me from a young age: that your outcomes are often a reflection of the people you spend the most time with and how I’ve seen that in my life in college with my grades and now with my energy. I open up about a recent experience where I found myself around someone with very fear-based thinking. I call that person “Chicken Little”. You remember that story book that spoke about the sky falling. It's an energy type. It's an archetype. Despite years of practicing intentional self-talk, I noticed how spending time with a chicken little also began to influence my own thoughts. That experience led me to make a difficult but necessary decision to step away from a relationship that wasn’t aligned with the energy I want to live in. This conversation is really about choosing yourself. Choosing friendships, partners, and environments that pour into you, uplift you, and support the version of you you’re becoming. I also connect this to the idea of “soul corrections”. I've been learning Kabbalah and it's teachings have found a way organically in the my life and I find it gives me so much comfort that I wanted to share. This week's exercise: Take five minutes to sit in silence and speak to yourself with love, intention, and affirmation. Tell yourself kind things. "I love you. I am proud of you." Even if you hear the negative self talk ignore it and keep going. I love you...see you next week. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Back Villagers 00:34 College Lesson on Friends 03:24 Beyond Grades to Life 03:59 Chicken Little Energy 08:21 Choosing Your Vibration 10:02 Soul Corrections and Flow 12:06 Five Minutes of Self Love 13:38 Love Shifts Everything 14:34 Share and See You Next Book I mention: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Shad Helmstetter. This is the link to purchase.(⁠https://bit.ly/4uhYeN2)⁠. Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram ⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin⁠⁠ TikTok ⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠ https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin⁠⁠ Threads ⁠⁠ http://threads.net/@delinamedhin⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠www.delinamedhin.com⁠⁠ Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: ⁠⁠ https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook⁠⁠ Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: ⁠⁠ http://www.delinamedhin.com⁠⁠

In this solo episode, I’m opening Season 5 of It Takes a Village by talking about self-development, alignment, and the deeper work of becoming the person you know you’re meant to be. This season is different. I wanted to focus on us and how we can be a better villager by giving to ourselves. I also revisit one of the most powerful mindset shifts I ever experienced after reading the book What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Shad Helmstetter. This is the link to purchase.( https://bit.ly/4uhYeN2) . I talk about how the quiet dialogue we have with ourselves is constantly programming our minds, and how small phrases like “I’m bad with names” or “I always mess things up” can quietly shape the reality we live in. Changing the way we speak to ourselves can completely transform the way we experience life. This episode also explores faith, certainty, and the energetic state we bring into our lives and work. I share why I believe that many successful entrepreneurs still feel deeply unhappy when their success isn’t rooted in something spiritual, and how developing a relationship with God, the universe, or whatever you believe in can create a deeper sense of peace and alignment. We also talk about the difference between operating from need versus certainty , and how the energy of needing something often pushes it further away. I explain why the most successful people often seem to attract more opportunities, and how generosity, gratitude, and openness create the conditions for growth. Finally, I guide you through a powerful exercise that I’ll be doing myself: imagining that you’re being interviewed on a podcast in the future after everything you’re dreaming about has already happened. By answering questions as your future self, you begin to step into the vibration of the person you’re becoming today. This conversation is about remembering that you already have more power than you think you do. If you’re in a moment of transition, uncertainty, or growth, this episode is an invitation to reconnect with your vision, your faith, and your own inner voice. 10 Questions to Ask Your Future Self When you look back at that period of your life, what was really happening beneath the surface? What did you have to let go of in order to become the person you are today? At the time it felt painful — but what was that experience actually preparing you for? What was the exact moment you realized your life was changing for the better? What did you learn about love, partnership, and self-respect during that time? What habits or daily practices ended up transforming everything for you? What surprised you most about your own strength? What did you stop tolerating that you used to accept? What advice would you give to the version of you who was sitting in uncertainty back then? Now that you’re on the other side of it all, what are you most grateful happened exactly the way it did? Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Season Five 00:28 What This Show Is 01:38 Defining Success Differently 02:32 Reprogram Your Self Talk 04:29 Faith and Vibration 07:49 Certainty and Alignment 09:38 Neediness vs Attraction 12:36 Future Self Mirror Exercise 15:14 Podcast Questions Prompt 19:31 Money Mood Trap 21:35 Entrepreneur Encouragement 22:42 Community and Next Steps Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin⁠ TikTok ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin⁠ ⁠ YouTube ⁠https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin⁠ Threads ⁠http://threads.net/@delinamedhin⁠ Website ⁠ ⁠www.delinamedhin.com⁠ Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: ⁠https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook⁠ Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: ⁠http://www.delinamedhin.com⁠

In this solo episode, I’m closing out the year by reflecting on commitment, balance, and what it really looks like to come home to yourself. This is the final recording of the season, and it felt important to pause, zoom out, and share what has shifted in me over the past year, personally, physically and energetically. I talk about how stability has quietly entered my life, from feeling more grounded in relationships to waking up naturally without an alarm, and how my sabbatical created a clear ‘before and after” version of who I am. I share why I no longer see beauty as something that lives only on the outside, and how my relationship with makeup, wellness, and identity has evolved into something much deeper and more holistic. This episode also dives into one of the biggest lessons of my year: blood sugar regulation. I explain how learning to balance protein, fat, and carbohydrates in every meal transformed my energy, mood, focus, and menstrual health, and why I believe this conversation is especially important for women. What started as curiosity became a full lifestyle shift that helped me move from emotional volatility into a more consistent flow state, without losing my sensitivity or emotional depth. I also open up about self-funding the podcast, scaling back my team, recommitting to the work more intentionally, and what it means to truly stand behind something you’re building, even when it stretches you. I share my gratitude for this community, what it means to be in the top 3% of podcasts on Spotify, and why building a village has never been about numbers, but about resonance. This episode is an invitation to slow down, check in with your body, honor your cycles, and consider what balance might look like for you moving into the next year. If you’ve been craving more stability, clarity, and alignment in how you live and create, this conversation is for you. Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with.’ Have you ever asked yourself… “how can I be happier, healthier, peaceful, famous, powerful, or successful?” When you want change, your life will shift, you let go, and begin to trust other people. This new energy will attract new people & create momentum in your life that reveals your purpose. Awareness is life’s balancing tool, and you are in the right place at the right time, always. 00:00 Introduction and Year-End Reflections 00:52 Commitment and Personal Growth 01:56 Embracing Stability and Routine 04:04 The Power of Inner and Outer Beauty 05:59 Balancing Blood Sugar for Better Health 13:04 Podcast Achievements and Future Plans 15:11 Conclusion and Looking Forward to 2026 Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin ⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin Threads http://threads.net/@delinamedhin Website ⁠ www.delinamedhin.com Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: http://www.delinamedhin.com

In this solo episode, I’m sharing something that’s been sitting on my heart for a while, something I’ve avoided saying out loud because it felt vulnerable, humbling, and honestly… very on-brand for a show called It Takes A Village. The truth is: this show has grown into something bigger than what I can sustain on my own. For years, I’ve been quietly funding ITAV with the money I earn from makeup jobs, pouring every ounce of passion, curiosity, and belief into creating conversations that matter. But creating a show at this level takes real resources, and I’ve finally reached the moment where I can’t do it alone anymore. I talk about what it has meant to build this show from scratch, the behind-the-scenes costs no one sees, and why it took me years to feel comfortable asking for support. I also share the intention behind my Networking Guide, why it exists, what it represents, and how it became both a resource for you and a way for me to keep doing what I love with it takes a village. By buying the Build Your Village Video eBook here, you support our upcoming season. Please consider buying it for yourself or a friend as a gift for the holidays. https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook I also share today about trust, friendship, support systems, community, and the kind of relationships that hold you together as you evolve. I talk about the friends who have become anchors in my life, the people I’ve outgrown, the energetic shifts that come with healing, and how learning self-love has transformed the way I choose the people around me. This episode is for anyone who’s navigating transition; financially, emotionally, spiritually, and trying to honor what is falling away while making space for what is trying to grow. It’s for those of you building something from the ground up, learning how to ask for help, or redefining what it means to have a village. Thank you for being here. Thank you for caring about the show. And thank you for being part of a community that allows me to keep creating something I truly believe in. Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with.’ Have you ever asked yourself… “how can I be happier, healthier, peaceful, famous, powerful, or successful?” When you want change, your life will shift, you let go, and begin to trust other people. This new energy will attract new people & create momentum in your life that reveals your purpose. Awareness is life’s balancing tool, and you are in the right place at the right time, always. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Appeal 00:10 The Journey of Creating the Show 01:03 Crowdfunding and Networking Guide 05:56 The Importance of Trust in Relationships 08:51 Personal Growth and Friendships 15:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin ⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin Threads http://threads.net/@delinamedhin Website ⁠ www.delinamedhin.com Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: http://www.delinamedhin.com

In this solo episode, I’m opening up about a part of my life I’ve kept private. I said “I love you” to a man I’ve been dating, and it slipped out. It was one of those moments where your heart speaks faster than your mind, and you hear yourself say the thing you’ve been rehearsing internally for months. And it showed me how much I've softened and how differently I’m choosing to move through love. I talk about why I waited to share this and how much I've changed over the years, prioritizing IQ vs. EQ in dating, how masculine energy shaped my past relationships, and the journey of embracing feminine energy. I share the parts of womanhood I used to resent, including my cycle and the way it slowed me down, and how embracing femininity has changed everything for me including my pace, boundaries, creativity, body, self-love, and finally the type of love I am able to give. This episode is about what it means to love yourself so deeply that loving someone else becomes an extension of that wholeness. If you’re navigating your own becoming, softening, healing, or learning how to love in a way that feels safe, grounded, and aligned, you’ll find resonance here. This is an intimate look at the woman I’m becoming, the faith guiding me, and the kind of love I pray to embody daily. Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with.’ Have you ever asked yourself… “how can I be happier, healthier, peaceful, famous, powerful, or successful?” When you want change, your life will shift, you let go, and begin to trust other people. This new energy will attract new people & create momentum in your life that reveals your purpose. Awareness is life’s balancing tool, and you are in the right place at the right time, always. 0:00 Introduction and Personal Update 01:16 Show Reminders and Announcements 01:44 Dating and Personal Reflections 07:08 Embracing Feminine Energy 13:56 Self-Love and Personal Growth 16:16 Conclusion and Future Plans Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin ⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin Threads http://threads.net/@delinamedhin Website ⁠ www.delinamedhin.com Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: http://www.delinamedhin.com

Jackie Aina Asamoah, content creator, entrepreneur, and co-founder of FORVR MOOD, joins us today to talk about what it looks like to pivot, evolve, and build something that feels deeply true to who you are becoming. After spending over a decade shaping the beauty industry and advocating for visibility and representation, Jackie reached a moment where she felt called into a new direction. What started as a feeling she couldn’t ignore eventually became FORVR MOOD, now one of the leading fragrance brands in the market. Jackie shares the reality of launching her company in the middle of the pandemic, trusting her vision when nothing was guaranteed, and watching a 45K-person waitlist form almost overnight. She talks about the courage it took to go from influencer to founder and the discipline required to build something with longevity. Jackie also opens up about her childhood and the memories that shaped her love for fragrance. We talk about her advocacy in the beauty industry, why authenticity still matters in a rapidly changing creator landscape, and the mentorship, community, and faith that carried her through every obstacle. Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with’. Have you ever asked yourself… “how can I be happier, healthier, peaceful, famous, powerful, or successful?” When you want change, your life will shift, you let go, and begin to trust other people. This new energy will attract new people & create momentum in your life that reveals your purpose. Awareness is life’s balancing tool and you are in the right place at the right time, always. 00:00 Welcome to 'It Takes a Village' 01:04 Meet Jackie Aina 06:26 Childhood and Family Dynamics 08:25 Pursuing a Career in Beauty 12:13 Navigating Success and Personal Growth 18:08 Faith and Overcoming Challenges 26:10 Family and Cultural Influences 30:31 Launching FORVR MOOD 33:49 The Candle Boom and Unexpected Success 35:55 Navigating Brand Identity and Personal Growth 39:13 The Rise of Fragrance Content 44:51 Balancing Content Creation and Advocacy 56:28 Challenges and Triumphs of Building a Brand 01:03:34 Jackie's Village Learn more about Jackie Aina: Jackie Aina is a trailblazing content creator, entrepreneur, and beauty industry advocate who has spent over 16 years reshaping the way women of color are seen, valued, and catered to in beauty. Known for her sharp wit, honest storytelling, and cultural influence, Jackie built one of the most trusted platforms in the digital beauty space, using her voice to push brands toward deeper inclusivity and accountability. She is the founder and CEO of FORVR Mood, a lifestyle and fragrance brand rooted in luxury, softness, and self-care for Black women. Beyond entrepreneurship, Jackie is recognized as one of the most influential beauty creators of her generation, blending creativity, social commentary, and business strategy in a way that has set new standards across the industry. She continues to evolve the creator-to-founder blueprint, showing what’s possible when Black women build, lead, and take up space unapologetically. Connect with Jackie Aina: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jackieaina/?hl=en TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@jackieaina?lang=en YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzJIliq68IHSn-Kwgjeg2AQ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forvrmood/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@forvrmood Website https://forvrmood.com/ Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin ⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin Threads http://threads.net/@delinamedhin Website ⁠ www.delinamedhin.com Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: http://www.delinamedhin.com

In this solo episode, I’m unpacking the evolution of my creative process, the shifts, the resistance, the momentum, and the deep inner work that’s happening behind the scenes. Lately, I’ve been feeling this pull to create differently and with more intention and more effort. Not forced effort and reluctance, but chosen effort and excitement. The kind that is sharpening my skills, expands my capacity, and reconnects me to the reason I started creating in the first place. I talk about my childhood and my first experience with creativity, the pressure to always be “good,” the difference between studying vs. improvising, and how abundance can actually make you less creative if you’re not paying attention. I get into why effort matters, how momentum is built, and why people who are wildly successful often are the ones who mix talent with consistent effort. This episode is a deep dive into my own creative mindset shift for anyone who’s navigating a creative transition, feeling stuck, or craving a deeper relationship with their own voice. If you’ve been asking yourself what's next creatively, you may find resonance with where I am. Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with.’ Have you ever asked yourself… “how can I be happier, healthier, peaceful, famous, powerful, or successful?” When you want change, your life will shift, you let go, and begin to trust other people. This new energy will attract new people & create momentum in your life that reveals your purpose. Awareness is life’s balancing tool, and you are in the right place at the right time, always. 00:00 Nostalgic Beginnings: The Donkey Kong Challenge 00:47 Welcome to 'It Takes a Village' 03:35 Creativity and the Creative Process 10:51 Effort vs. Effortless Creativity 13:55 The Michael Jordan of Creativity 15:42 Reflecting on Creative Effort 24:29 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin ⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin Threads http://threads.net/@delinamedhin Website ⁠ www.delinamedhin.com Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: http://www.delinamedhin.com

Alex Ayodele, CEO and founder of Balcony People, joins us today to break down the Blood Type Diet, the viral framework that quietly transformed my life before we ever even spoke. After losing her gallbladder at a young age and navigating years of unexplained digestive issues, acne, inflammation, and fatigue, Alex discovered the power of eating according to blood type. What started as a personal healing journey became a calling to help others understand their bodies, their biology, and their emotional and spiritual health. She walks us through her transformation, she explains the differences between blood types, the real meaning of “highly beneficial,” “neutral,” and “avoid” foods, and why inflammation shows up differently for each person. She also dives into regeneration, food quality, emotional capacity, fatigue, hormones, and why so many of us are exhausted, inflamed, and disconnected in a culture that eats around the clock. Alex also opens up about the deeper side of healing, the mindset shifts, the spiritual grounding, the role of faith, and the power of asking different questions as you rebuild trust with your body. She shares how she created Balcony People as both a wellness concierge and a reminder that we are meant to be surrounded by people who lift us higher. Through her story, you’ll understand why your period, mood, energy, and digestion may be signaling more than you think, and why healing is both physical and spiritual work. Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with’. Have you ever asked yourself… “how can I be happier, healthier, peaceful, famous, powerful, or successful?” When you want change, your life will shift, you let go, and begin to trust other people. This new energy will attract new people & create momentum in your life that reveals your purpose. Awareness is life’s balancing tool and you are in the right place at the right time, always. 00:00 Introduction and Mindset Coaching 02:04 Personal Health Journey 05:16 Discovering the Blood Type Diet 08:20 Interview with Alex Ayodele 08:33 Understanding Blood Types and Diets 10:33 Implementing the Blood Type Diet 28:26 Long-Term Benefits and Personal Experiences 36:56 A Painful Period in Costa Rica 37:30 Discovering Blood Sugar Balance 38:03 Struggles with Weight and Energy 38:24 Skin and Environmental Changes 39:37 The Impact of Blood Type on Health 40:10 The Role of Blood Type in Diet and Exercise 47:05 Balancing Awareness and Digestion 48:39 The Importance of Mindset in Health 49:19 Spirituality and Personal Growth 57:38 Integrating Faith and Coaching 01:09:05 Balcony People: A Wellness Concierge 01:12:54 Subscription and Membership Programs 01:14:26 Final Thoughts and Gratitude Learn more about Alex Ayodele: Alex Ayodele is the CEO and founder of Balcony People, a premium wellness concierge supporting individuals and families in transforming their health through integrative nutrition, blood type strategy, and conscious lifestyle redesign. Through her six-month coaching program and the Balcony People Wellness Circle, Alex helps people restore their bodies, reconnect with their intuition, heal inflammation, and create sustainable, aligned habits that support their emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Get the blood type diet book referenced in our conversation. Connect with Alex: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alexayodele_/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-ayodele-b56a9121b Website https://alexayodele.com/ Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin ⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin Threads http://threads.net/@delinamedhin Website ⁠ www.delinamedhin.com Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: http://www.delinamedhin.com

In this solo episode, I’m taking a deep dive into the Sephora ecosystem , from Sephora Squad to Sephora Storefront to Sephora Accelerate, and break down why the beauty giant’s strategy is one of the smartest models in modern creator marketing. Drawing from my own journey as a longtime makeup artist and creator, we’ll explore how Sephora built an interconnected system that supports influencers, brands, and community all at once and how you can apply the same thinking to your own creative life. I will share my hot take on affiliate links, authenticity, and why creators today need a true ecosystem instead of relying on one platform. I also reflect on her early days in beauty, the evolution of influencer culture, and how creators can build momentum by understanding the difference between followers and community. Using Sephora as a metaphor, I break down how to think of yourself as the “retailer” of your own world with platforms acting as your storefronts, advocates as your affiliate network, and your real community as your most powerful accelerator. This episode is both a business lesson and a mindset shift for anyone building something online. Whether you're a creator, a founder, or someone stepping into your next chapter, this conversation will help you understand the value you bring and how to create in a way that reflects it. Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with.’ Have you ever asked yourself… “How can I be more aligned, powerful, peaceful, or successful?” When you embrace who you are and trust the people walking with you, momentum builds, purpose reveals itself, and your life begins to shift in the most beautiful ways. Awareness is life’s balancing tool — and you are in the right place at the right time, always. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:27 Networking and Building Your Village 03:03 Deep Dive into Sephora's Business Model 03:42 Affiliate Links and Influencer Marketing 09:14 Sephora Squad and Influencer Programs 15:26 Sephora Accelerate and Brand Development 17:32 Creating Content and Marketing Strategies 29:52 Conclusion and Coaching Opportunities Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin ⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin Threads http://threads.net/@delinamedhin Website ⁠ www.delinamedhin.com Get the Build Your Village Video eBook here: https://stan.store/delinamedhin/p/build-your-village-ebook Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think Of You: http://www.delinamedhin.com

Welcome to Build Your Village , a video e-book for the Village community. I’m Delina Medhin, the host of It Takes a Village. This video ebook is designed to help you explore how to network, meet people, and build your own community. On the show, we have discussed how I built my village and how I have helped others build theirs. Now it’s time to talk about how to build your own. In this episode, I open up about the origin story of why the Build Your Village E-book needed to happen now. It was a divine download that came to me during one of my morning walks. What started as an inspired thought became a calling to create a space for self-funded women who are building something on their own. I will share my honest experience as a self-funded entrepreneur, the moments of loneliness, anger, and isolation that shaped me, and the realization that independence doesn’t have to mean doing it all alone. Community is what saved me. My village is what saved me. Build Your Village is both a guide and a healing offering. It’s for the self-funded, the solopreneurs, and the dreamers who want to create meaningful work while staying connected to themselves and to others. Through my story, I invite you to reconsider what support really looks like, to build from a foundation of connection, faith, and trust instead of burnout and self-reliance. This episode is a reflection on what it truly takes to grow something from the ground up and a reminder that you are not meant to do it by yourself. It’s an invitation to create from a place of wholeness, support, and belief that your vision is possible. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:05 Exciting New Project: Build Your Village 04:55 The Journey to Building Your Village 07:06 Personal Reflections and Challenges 12:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin ⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin Threads http://threads.net/@delinamedhin Website ⁠ www.delinamedhin.com Join my newsletter, This Made Me Think of You : www.delinamedhin.com See all the details in the show notes here .

In this solo episode, Delina dives into feminine money energy and what it means to move from chasing to attracting. She shares how burnout reshaped her relationship with ambition, the difference between selling and marketing, the importance of community, the transformative power of gratitude, and the power of only wanting what truly wants you back. Delina reflects on how influential people in her life have guided her career and offers thoughts on finding alignment in your personal and professional life. She discusses the balance between marketing and sales, emphasizing the importance of being overdoing. Delina also addresses the challenges of burnout and the significance of prayer, meditation, and self-reflection in aligning with opportunities and achieving personal goals. From selling Krispy Kreme donuts in her early days to navigating the modern pressure to “always be doing”, this episode is a reminder that success doesn’t have to feel hard; it can feel honest. Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with’. Have you ever asked yourself…“how can I be happier, healthier, peaceful, famous, powerful, or successful?” When you want change, your life will shift, you let go, and begin to trust other people. This new energy will attract new people & create momentum in your life that reveals your purpose. Awareness is life’s balancing tool, and you are in the right place at the right time, always. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:04 About the Show and Its Purpose 03:04 The Power of Alignment 13:12 Marketing vs. Sales 21:37 Personal Growth and Authenticity 23:33 Final Thoughts Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram https://www.instagram.com/delinamedhin TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@delinamedhin ⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/delinamedhin Threads http://threads.net/@delinamedhin Website ⁠ www.delinamedhin.com Access the full show notes here .

Wende Zomnir, a beauty industry disruptor and co-founder of both Urban Decay and Caliray, joins us today to talk all about breaking beauty in two different decades, the serendipitous aerobics class connection that led to partnering with Cisco Systems co-founder Sandy Lerner, and how finding plastic trash on a deserted island in the Maldives sparked her mission to create truly sustainable beauty. She breaks down the wild early days of Urban Decay - from tracking down Shirley Manson through Minneapolis phone books to creating the first social media campaign by paying cool New York girls to pass out makeup to their friends. Wende also opens up about her extensive wellness routine that includes surfing, weightlifting, yoga, and competitive tennis, and why she believes hormone replacement therapy should be accessible to all women. Plus, she shares the origin story behind Urban Decay's legendary All Nighter setting spray (spoiler: it involved spraying her face with actual hairspray during beauty pageants). Welcome to It Takes A Village with Delina Medhin, where inspiring founders & creatives share ‘who I built this with’. Have you ever asked yourself…“how can I be happier, healthier, peaceful, famous, powerful, or successful?” When you want change, your life will shift, you let go, and begin to trust other people. This new energy will attract new people & create momentum in your life that reveals your purpose. Awareness is life’s balancing tool and you are in the right place at the right time, always. 00:00 Introduction 00:09 Wende's Career Beginnings at Cisco Systems 00:37 Sandy Lerner's Influence and Female Empowerment 01:19 The Evolution of the Beauty Industry 03:58 The Serendipitous Meeting with Sandy 07:43 Wende's Son and Family Life 08:53 Wende’s Passion for Surfing and Sports 12:27 The Birth of Caliray and Sustainability in Beauty 14:10 Challenges and Innovations in Sustainable Packaging 18:33 The Evolution of Beauty Marketing and Social Media 31:27 The Iconic All-Nighter Setting Spray 35:24 Mitigating Life Drift: Hormone Replacement Therapy 37:18 The Beauty Drink: A Lifestyle Brand 38:55 The Importance of Wellness and Exercise 41:26 Fundraising and Building Relationships 45:05 The Caliray House: A Unique Workspace 47:05 Exciting New Products: Lip Guards 49:19 Challenges and Team Dynamics in a Startup 55:01 Leadership Lessons and Personal Balance 57:58 The Magic of Yoga and Beginner's Mind 01:00:41 SPF Routine and Product Recommendations 01:05:26 Global Aspirations and Brand Identity 01:09:05 Advice for Aspiring Founders Learn more about Wende Zomnir: Wende Zomnir is a modern beauty industry pioneer. She unleashed Urban Decay in 1996, filling the void with makeup that fueled a beauty revolution. Urban Decay democratized beauty and wellness, and Wende paved the way for the indie beauty movement and future beauty entrepreneurs. After running over plastic bottles with her surfboard, she turned her sights on another beauty revolution: sustainability and performance clean formulas. In January 2022, Wende founded Caliray, a West Coast beauty and wellness brand serving face and planet. Caliray creates performance clean beauty products with skincare-level ingredients, and infuses the products with sexy sustainability and innovative packaging solutions. Connect with Wende: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wendezomnir TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@wendezomnir Instagram https://www.instagram.com/caliray/ Website https://caliraybeauty.com/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@caliray Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/caliray/ Connect with Delina: ⁠Instagram @delinamedhin⁠ TikTok @delinamedhin⁠ YouTube @delinamedhin⁠ Threads @delinamedhin ⁠ Website ⁠ www.delinamedhin.com Head to the show notes website here .