Freeda's World

Author: Ritha Pierre

Welcome to Freedas World, the podcast for savvy, professional black women who are on a mission to achieve self-acceptance and self-love. In this space, we understand that the professional streets can be mean and rough, but that's where we come in! With engaging and candid discussions about life as a black professional woman, we prioritize conversations around self-care, personal and professional development, mental health, and more. Think of us as your personal cheerleaders, guiding you towards a brighter and more fulfilling future. We believe that together, we can conquer any obstacle and reach new heights. So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back, and join us on this journey to self-discovery and empowerment. After all, we're all trying to figure it out why not do it together?
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Language: en

Genres: Business, Careers, Society & Culture

Contact email: Get it

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The Simmer Before the Burnout with Dr. Nikia Smith
Episode 121
Wednesday, 31 December, 2025

So many women say, "I'm not burned out, I'm just tired." But what happens when tired is actually something deeper? In this episode of Freeda's World, Ritha sits down with Dr. Nikia Smith, a board-certified anesthesiologist, wellness coach, and founder of She Is Fire Forged, to discuss the simmer before burnout. That quiet, constant state of depletion that often goes unnoticed because everything still looks fine on the outside. Together, they unpack the subtle signs of simmering, why high-achieving women, especially women of color, are conditioned to ignore early warning signals, and what is really happening in the body when we keep pushing past our limits. Dr. Nikia introduces the idea of subtraction over addition, explains how self-worth becomes intertwined with productivity, and offers practical ways to intervene before burnout escalates. This conversation is for the woman who feels functional but off, successful but stretched, and knows something needs to change before her body forces the issue.