Are you in midlife, staring at a packed closet, wondering why letting go is so tough? In this episode of The Grit Show, host Shawna Rodrigues invites the inspiring writer and creative Vickey Brown to unpack the real reasons behind our attachment to “stuff”—from childhood scarcity mindsets to inherited family blueprints. Discover how downsizing, intentional living, and even being a little “delusional” can open the door to new possibilities.

Curious about how meal planning, clutter, and shifting perspectives can truly transform your life? Tune in to hear practical stories and insightful reflections, all designed to help you make room for what’s next. This episode is perfect for anyone seeking personal growth, emotional healing, and a fresh take on midlife transitions.

Vickey Brown (writing as Ella Shawn)

Vickey Brown is a Southern speculative fiction author, hybrid publisher, and founder of SOMO Publishing House, LLC. Writing under the pen name Ella Shawn, she brings raw, unfiltered conversations on creativity, resilience, and the audacity to take up space in the literary world. Her work centers the complexities of Black womanhood through a sacred, spiritual, and erotic lens.

As a Southern Gothic erotic romance writer, Vickey is determined to "speak, so she can speak again." Heavily influenced by Zora Neale Hurston and William Faulkner, she endeavors to give voice to all the nameless people who were told to be quiet and "keep family secrets in the family." Through her Broken Souls series and as host of the Black Writer Therapy podcast, she champions the stories and lived experiences of unapologetic writers.

She weaves tales of marginalized Southern women through a lens of liberation, creating a sanctuary for discerning readers wise enough to see beyond the ordinary and bold enough to embrace the extraordinary.

Find her work:

Substack: @vickeyellashawnbrown - My Chaotic Erotic Writer's Life
Host of Black Writer Therapy podcast
Author of the Broken Souls series

Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact.

She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.

Connect with her journey:

Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27

Stay Connected to The Grit Show

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