Meet Germani Manning & Brittany Lackey — hosts of the Black Girl Bravado Podcast and Friends of Ned. We chat with them about extending kindness, making room for flow, the SAVERS method, and treating Mama Nature with the respect she deserves.
Ned: How would you describe yourselves?
Germani: I am the life of the party; always down for a good time with good people. I am a person who feels deeply. I am sensitive, emotional and optimistic.
Brittany: The logical one. I’m trustworthy (your secrets are safe with me), dependable, very honest and I love to make people laugh.
Ned: What are the core values that guide you in your daily life?
Germani: One of the core values that guides my life daily is being a good person and the ability to extend kindness and politeness to people. This is extremely important to me because people are fighting battles that others cannot see...a little politeness and kindness goes a long way.
Brittany: Integrity and being a woman of my word. It’s so easy to say what you’re gonna do or what you think people want to hear, but I take pride in showing up exactly how I say I am.
Ned: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Germani: Tough love will teach you the greatest lesson.
Brittany: Give more than you expect to receive.
Ned: What’s something you’ve learned this past year?
Germani: This year I learned the importance of doing things I love with people I love. We often think we have so much time, but living through the uncertainty of the pandemic taught me to draw closer to family and friends and only invest my energy doing things I truly care about.
Brittany: To make room for flow. As a person who’s a planner, last year taught me that there are some things you just can’t plan for and the best way to get through is by flowing and letting go of resistance.
Ned: What’s wellness to you?
Germani: Wellness to me means catering to my needs first; it means pouring into myself in ways that allow me to show up for myself in the most fulfilling way possible.
Brittany: Wellness to me is implementing practices, habits and changes that allow me to function at my optimal level.
Ned: What’s your idea of contentment?
Germani: My idea of contentment is feeling completely satisfied and at peace.
Brittany: Contentment to me is peace, harmony and security.
Ned: What’s your best tip for managing stress?
Germani: Talking to a trusted friend to help me process the thoughts and feelings which are causing me to feel stress. I also find it necessary to disconnect from technology, exercise and spend time in nature- moving my body and sweating helps to release endorphins which help to clear my head and allow me to relax.
Brittany: Laughing, dancing and disconnecting.
Ned: What’s a super simple practice you do that’s improved your life?
Germani: Prayer and meditation. Having quiet moments alone really helps to recenter my energy and quiet any negative self-talk/thoughts.
Brittany: I should do this more often but, social media detoxes. Taking occasional breaks from social helps quiet the noise from consuming what everyone else is doing and allows me to gain more clarity and understanding about what it is that I genuinely want to do.
Ned: What’s the smallest change you’ve made that’s had the biggest impact?
Germani: I invested in a Berkey Water Filter!! Lately I’ve been making sustainable swaps in efforts to reduce my carbon footprint so getting a water filter has been a game changer...no more plastic water bottles.
Brittany: Ordering from a meal prep service has dramatically improved my life. I’m a pretty busy gal and finding the time and desire to cook was taking a toll on me and my diet. Now that I’ve simplified this process, I’ve felt an immediate shift.
Ned: What’s something you want to start doing?
Germani: Making up my bed everyday...I am the worst at this lol!
Brittany: Working out consistently! This has been a goal deferred for too long lol. The time is now.
Ned: What’s something you want to stop doing?
Germani: Being fearful of failing.
Brittany: Picking up my phone first thing in the morning. I’d like the first hour of my day to be distraction free.
Ned: What’s your favorite morning ritual?
Germani: Warm lime water first thing in the morning and a great playlist to ease me into the day.
Brittany: Implementing the S.A.V.E.R.S method: Silence, Affirmation, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, Scribing (Writing).
Ned: What’s your favorite nighttime ritual?
Germani: Reading, journaling and listening to binaural beats/sleep sounds before bed.
Brittany: Winding down with a glass of wine and a good face mask.
Ned: Who do you follow that really inspires you?
Germani: My friends who are chasing their dreams!! There are too many to list...but they are really shifting culture in their respective fields and mediums.
Brittany: Myleik Teele. The knowledge and perspective she shares is top tier. She’s the auntie that every 20/30 something girl needs.
Ned: What’s something you’re grateful for?
Germani: Sisterhood. I’ve been blessed with a pretty amazing community of women who make my life easier and more enjoyable.
Brittany: The opportunity to nurture and pour into a group of women that look like me. It’s an honor that I don’t take for granted.
Ned: What’s something that would make the world a better place?
Germani: The world would be a better place if people were more mindful of their carbon footprint!! It’s (past) time for us to treat Mama Nature with the respect she deserves.
Brittany: Equity. The gap in privilege and resources hurts us tremendously.
You can follow Germani & Brittany on Instagram and listen to The Black Girl Bravado Podcast here.
