What if the soft life isn't about luxury at all? What if it's about survival?In this episode I explore the soft life as a practice of safety, resistance, and self-preservation for Black women — and why choosing ease is one of the most radical acts we can make.I'm unpacking why softness feels so dangerous for Black women, exploring the cultural conditioning that taught us to perform strength at all costs, and breaking down what it actually looks like to choose ease in a world that profits from our exhaustion.Plus, I'm discussing Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris—a stunning novel about a woman who stumbles into sanctuary and discovers she's not too broken to heal.Books MentionedWhere the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton HarrisFind this and other recommendations at The CultureLit online BookShop and support independent bookstores at Visit my bookshop!Resources & ThemesThe myth of the “Strong Black Woman”Nervous system regulationRest as resistanceSoft life as sustainabilityCulture Lit is a community celebrating black women and black love, and a reminder that black women deserve joy, love success, second chances, and all the beautiful magic the world has to offer.Subscribe to the Culture Lit Podcast Community here: CultureLitPodcast.comPlease follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!Let me know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading.STAY CONNECTEDInstagram: becomingoctaviaThreads: becomingoctaviaFB: BecomingOctaviaMarieMusic credit: Cool Jazz Beat by FASOL PRODA Subito Media productionMentioned in this episode:If you're enjoying the show, join our community at culturelitpodcast.com.Visit my bookshop!You can find all the books I've reviewed in this podcast in my Bookshop! Visit https://bookshop.org/shop/CultureLitPodcast to get your copy!Visit my bookshop!

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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