Hey, cousins! This week, Alisha Stevenson welcomes her niece, Jordan, for an honest conversation about being a teenager in 2026. From school pressure and trouble focusing to social media overload and worries about world events, Jordan shares what’s weighing on her generation.

Together, they explore loneliness, the fear of rejection, making genuine friendships, and the pressure to show only parts of yourself online. Jordan also offers simple reminders: spend less time on your phone, get outside, and make room for connection.

This episode invites adults to listen and reminds young people that their feelings matter, their struggles deserve acknowledgment, and they deserve support.

Take a break. Take care. Heal and make room for joy.

You don’t need a vacation or a free hour to take a moment for yourself. In this short solo episode, Alisha shares simple ways to pause wherever you are: notice your surroundings, check in with your body, move a little, or take a breath. Join her for a quick reset and a reminder that even 30 seconds count.

In this episode, Alisha and Bridget talk about anxious thoughts, physical warning signs, triggers, and why getting curious about what you’re feeling can be the first step toward healing. Plus, take a quick Code 27 Reset and learn how to pause before anxiety takes over.

Your body is talking. Are you listening?

#Code27 #Anxiety #NervousSystem #MentalHealth #Healing

You’ve been told to relax—but what if your body doesn’t actually feel safe enough to slow down?

In this episode of Code 27: Conversations with Cousins, Alisha and Bridget continue the conversation about rest, safety, and stepping away from the constant pressure to grind, produce, and keep going.

We talk about how trauma, stress, worry, and always being “on” can make slowing down uncomfortable—and how creating a sense of safety can help your mind and body finally begin to settle.

We explore simple ways to build safety through:

• Breathwork and grounding
• Movement and emotional release
• Rest and intentional quiet
• Supportive relationships and therapy
• Creating peaceful environments
• Letting go of what you cannot control

Remember: wellness is a practice, not perfection. Sometimes the first step is simply asking yourself, “What do I need right now to feel safe, secure, and settled?”

✨ Safety in. Anxiety out.

🏆 Everyday People Award: This week, we recognize Officer Melinda Jordan for more than two decades of service to the City of Cincinnati and her continued commitment to supporting children, families, and schools with compassion, poise, and grace. We see you and appreciate you!

🎧 Listen, follow, and share Code 27: Conversations with Cousins.

Out of Service. Into Healing.

Do you ever find yourself replaying conversations, worrying about the worst-case scenario, or struggling to quiet your mind? In this episode of Code 27: Conversations with Cousins, Alisha and Bridget explore why overthinking happens, how it's connected to our nervous system's need to protect us, and practical ways to break free from the cycle. Learn simple tools like brain dumping, journaling, gratitude, reframing unhelpful stories, and creating moments of peace in an overstimulated world. If you're ready to quiet the mental noise and make room for calm, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Code 27: Conversations with Cousins, Alisha and Bridget explore how people-pleasing is often more than just "being nice"—it's a survival strategy rooted in trauma, fear, and the need for acceptance. They discuss how childhood experiences, anxious attachment, and conflict avoidance can lead us to overcommit, ignore our own needs, and lose ourselves in the process. The conversation offers practical ways to begin setting healthy boundaries, honoring your "yes" and your "no," and recognizing that rest is not selfish—it's essential. Plus, they share a simple mindful movement exercise to help release stress from the body and recognize Teresa as the Everyday People Award Health & Wellness Champion for her lifelong commitment to wellness and self-advocacy. A powerful reminder to step out of survival mode, embrace healthier relationships, and take a break, take care, heal, and make room for joy.

Most women, especially Black women, are praised for being strong — but at what cost? What if real strength is knowing when to pause, take a break, and set boundaries?

In this heartfelt episode, Alicia and Bridget unpack the hidden toll of society's pressure to always be the strong one. They share personal stories, like battling illness and learning to say no, to reveal how embracing vulnerability is actually a sign of true resilience.

You'll discover why the strong Black woman stereotype can keep you stuck in exhaustion and stress — and the simple, powerful shifts that can change your relationship with strength. Rivering the HALT framework, they teach you how to check in with yourself: Are you hungry, angry, lonely, or tired? And how to honor your limits without guilt.

This episode redefines what it means to be strong. It's perfect for anyone feeling drained or overwhelmed by societal expectations — whether you're a woman, a man, or anyone trying to find space to be human. If you're tired of carrying invisible burdens and ready to reclaim your well-being, this conversation is your wake-up call.

Get inspired to prioritize yourself, set boundaries, and understand that true strength includes vulnerability and self-care. Don't just survive — thrive by learning how to pause and be kind to yourself.

Listen now and start rewriting your story of strength — because you deserve boundaries, rest, and peace.

Take a Break. Take Care. Heal and Make Room for Joy.

#Code27 #HealingConversations #TraumaHealing #MentalHealth #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney #Wellness #Podcast #MakeRoomForJo

Together, they encourage listeners to embrace rest without guilt, pay attention to their physical and mental well-being, and recognize that taking a break is an important part of growth, healing, and showing up as their best selves. Tune in for an uplifting conversation filled with wisdom, reflection, and practical reminders to prioritize yourself.

Awareness is important—but what do we actually do when we're feeling overwhelmed?

In this episode, Alisha and her cousin share simple, practical tools to help calm the nervous system and interrupt the stress spiral. From breathwork and grounding techniques to stepping away and taking a purposeful pause, these strategies are designed to be realistic, accessible, and effective in everyday life.

This conversation is a reminder that coping doesn't have to be complicated. Healing isn't about being perfect—it's about creating small moments of intention when you need them most.

A Code 27 is a pause with intention.

Why does something seemingly small sometimes cause such a big reaction?

In this episode, Alisha and her cousin explore what triggers really are and why they can feel so overwhelming. Together, they unpack the connection between our nervous system, past experiences, and present-day reactions.

You'll learn why triggers aren't signs of weakness or being "too sensitive"—they're signals from your body carrying important information. Instead of judging your reactions, what if you became curious about them?

Join us for a compassionate conversation about nervous system awareness, self-understanding, and healing.

Remember: A trigger isn't the problem—it's a signal.

Sometimes we don’t choose to slow down… life chooses for us.

In this episode, Alisha opens up about the moment her cancer diagnosis forced everything to stop—and how burnout, chronic stress, and constantly pushing through can quietly impact our minds and bodies long before we realize it.

This conversation is a reminder that trauma isn’t only the big life-altering moments. Sometimes it’s the accumulation of stress, pressure, survival mode, and never allowing yourself space to breathe.

“Your body doesn’t compare trauma… it responds to what it experiences.”

If you’ve ever minimized your pain because “others have it worse,” this episode is for you. We’re talking about listening to your body, honoring your experiences, and recognizing that sometimes the pause we resist… is the one we need the most.

Take a break. Take care. Heal and Make Room for Joy

“You’re not failing at rest… you’re learning it.”

“You’re not lazy… you’re overwhelmed.”

Code 27 is a countercultural movement that respects and expects rest as the norm. It’s about listening to our bodies, getting unstuck, and remembering the things we already know but often forget to practice in daily life.

These are real conversations about real life, healing, wellness, mindset, and showing up as the best version of ourselves. Consider this your reminder to take care of you so you can live well and make room for joy.