This week on Let’s Try This Again, I’m your host B Simone, and I’m joined by the legendary content creator and entrepreneur DeStorm Power. We get real about what it means to build something from the ground up, fight for your creative vision, and keep going even when the world doesn’t see the work behind the scenes. DeStorm opens up about his journey from singing in Baltimore R&B groups and running track, to becoming one of the first viral internet stars—before “influencer” was even a word.
We dive deep into the story behind Zeus Network, how it started as a dream among friends, and the heartbreak of being cut out of something you helped build. DeStorm shares how he and his crew—including King Bach and others—put in the groundwork, brought in their communities, and launched shows that kept the lights on at Zeus, only to later feel sidelined and unrecognized. Hearing DeStorm talk about spending years and even a million dollars fighting for what he deserved was both sobering and motivating. It reminded me that sometimes, the people who help you build are the ones who get left out when the spotlight comes.
We also talk about mental health—especially for men—and how important it is to ask for help, open up, and take care of yourself even while you’re hustling. DeStorm's honesty about the emotional toll of being “muted” and misunderstood hit home for me, and I know so many of you will relate to the pressure of having to smile and show up, even when you’re carrying so much behind the scenes.
If you’ve ever felt overlooked, unappreciated, or just needed a reminder that your story matters, this episode is for you. Tune in for laughter, real talk, and a powerful look at resilience, creativity, and the courage to keep trying—no matter what.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BSIMONEPOD and get on your way to being your best self.
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This week on Let’s Try This Again, I’m your host B Simone, and I’m sitting down with the hilarious and inspiring Zainab Johnson. From the moment I discovered Zainab on social media—rocking her Bantu knots and dropping truth with every punchline—I knew I had to have her on the show. In this episode, we get real about what it’s like to break into stand-up comedy as a Black Muslim woman, and how sometimes the things that make us different become our superpowers.
Zainab shares how she never saw women like herself represented in comedy or on TV growing up, and how that inspired her to become the role model she wished she’d had. She opens up about her first time on stage, admitting she thought she’d fail but wanted a good story to tell—only to discover she was actually good at it and wanted to try again the very next day. We laugh about the wild journey from open mics at hookah lounges to touring internationally, and how being brutally honest about her life—like growing up with 13 siblings, wearing a hijab as a kid, or experimenting with hair—became the heart of her comedy.
We also dive into real talk about identity, faith, and self-acceptance. Zainab breaks down why she chose to stop wearing her hijab as a teen and how, as an entertainer, she’s on a mission to affirm the existence of young girls who don’t see themselves reflected in the media. We even get into the stigma around Black women and hair, and how owning your truth—whether it’s a flip-over weave or a shaved head—can be freeing and funny.
If you’ve ever felt like the odd one out, doubted your path, or needed a reminder that your story matters, this episode is for you. Tune in for laughter, wisdom, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep showing up and trying again, no matter what the world expects. And don’t forget—every Monday we drop audio on all platforms, and every Tuesday you can catch the visuals on YouTube. Let’s grow together!
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This week on Let’s Try This Again, I sit down with the multi-talented artist Vic Mensa for a raw, honest conversation about sobriety, healing, and what it really takes to break free from addiction. I open up about my own struggles with food addiction, and Vic shares his journey of letting go of drugs, alcohol, and even unhealthy relationships with sex-getting real about the moments that forced him to change. He talks about the night he crashed his car while drunk and high on Molly, and how that wake-up call, paired with a powerful moment of prayer in a mosque, led him to finally listen when God gave him a second chance.
Vic breaks down what sobriety means for him-not just abstaining from substances, but rebuilding his relationship with himself and others, including getting involved with Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. We talk about the concept of anhedonia, or the inability to feel pleasure, and how years of chasing extreme highs left him feeling numb to everyday joys. Vic gets vulnerable about the guilt, shame, and darkness that came with addiction, and how, over time, he’s learned to find happiness in the simple moments again.
If you’ve ever battled addiction in any form-or just felt stuck in a cycle you couldn’t break-this episode is for you. Vic’s story is motivating and relatable, reminding us that real change takes honesty, support, and a willingness to listen when life (or God) gives you a sign. Tune in for a conversation full of laughter, wisdom, and hope for anyone ready to try again.
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This week on Let’s Try This Again, I’m your host B Simone, and I’m joined by my girl Jamie, a life coach who specializes in manifesting and mindset. In this episode, we get real about what it actually takes to manifest the life you want-whether it’s more money, a thriving business, or deep, meaningful relationships. Jamie breaks down her step-by-step approach to manifestation, starting with the most important question: What do you truly want? So many of us don’t even let ourselves dream big, or we get stuck chasing “ego desires” instead of the heart-led dreams God placed inside us.
We talk about how your beliefs shape your reality, and Jamie shares how she helps clients identify the limiting beliefs that hold them back-like wanting a faithful partner but secretly believing “all men cheat.” I even walk through some of my own examples, like getting up at 6 a.m. to work out because I’m stepping into the version of myself who runs a multi-million-dollar business. Jamie’s process is practical and motivating: write down your desires, get honest about your limiting beliefs, and then ask yourself if those beliefs are really the ultimate truth. Spoiler: they never are!
This episode is packed with actionable steps-like choosing new beliefs, taking inspired action, and tuning in to what God is telling you in prayer and meditation. Jamie also opens up about her own spiritual journey, finding balance between faith and the universe, and how she learned to trust her intuition again. If you’re ready to break through old patterns and become the person who actually lives the life you dream about, this conversation is for you. Grab a notebook-Jamie even gives us a free mini coaching session right on the podcast! Let’s keep growing, manifesting, and trying again-together.
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Hey y'all! Welcome back to another episode of Let's Try This Again, I'm your host B Simone! This week, get ready for a powerful conversation with my special guest Teresa Celeste. We might even call ourselves the LTT Ayers now, thanks to Tyler! We talk about Teresa's first big break, God's timing, seeking Jesus, fasting and honestly, God really took the wheel on this one. There were so many other things I wanted to chat about, but the direction we went? Absolutely perfect.
I'm so excited for you to hear this episode. Trust me, you don't want to miss it. And hey, if you're just listening, make sure to head over to YouTube for the weekly vlog.
Thanks for tuning in every Monday for the audio and Tuesday for the visuals. Let me know in the comments if you want to hear more from our amazing guest. Don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts (five stars would be amazing!), and go comment, rate, subscribe, and share the love.
Remember, keep pushing forward, keep smiling, and never, ever give up. Stay resilient, and I love you guys so very much! See you next week!
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This week on Let’s Try This Again, I’m your host B Simone, and I’m joined by the incredible Dr. Anita Phillips-a trauma therapist, powerhouse speaker, and someone whose wisdom has truly changed my life. In this episode, we get real about what healing actually looks like, and why forgiveness and healing are two separate journeys.
I open up about my own process: how forgiving someone doesn’t mean the pain is instantly gone-just like if someone broke your leg, you could forgive them right away, but your leg would still need time to heal. That analogy hit home for me, and I know so many of you can relate. Sometimes the hurt lingers long after we’ve chosen to let go, and that’s okay.
We also talk about the “mother wound,” and I share how hearing Dr. Anita break down this topic on the Woman Evolve stage brought me to tears. She explains how mother wounds aren’t just a women’s issue-they can affect anyone, and they run deep, sometimes all the way back to the original story of Adam and Eve. The way Dr. Anita brings grace to both mothers and daughters, and encourages us to have compassion for each other, is something I wish everyone could hear.
This episode gets personal. I even take a moment to publicly apologize to anyone who met me during a darker, more broken season of my life-because when you’re hurting, you show up differently, no matter how hard you try to hide it. Dr. Anita helps us understand how trauma impacts our nervous system, why we might feel stuck in “fight or flight,” and how true healing isn’t about quick hacks, but about daily practices: rest, nourishing your body, using your voice, and spending time in safe spaces.
We talk about practical steps-like setting boundaries, speaking up for yourself, and even how being in nature or near the ocean can help reset your nervous system. Dr. Anita shares that healing is a process, not a destination, and encourages us to look back a year from now to see how far we’ve come.
If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, felt stuck in old pain, or wondered why healing takes so long, this episode is for you. It’s honest, motivating, and packed with wisdom you can use right now. Let’s keep growing, healing, and trying again-together.
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This episode of Let’s Try This Again is one of the most powerful and personal conversations I’ve ever had. I’m your host, B Simone, and today I sit down with Kevin—a filmmaker, producer, author, and mental health advocate whose story is nothing short of a miracle. We talk about the realities of suicide, mental health struggles, and the unseen emotional weight so many of us carry.
Kevin opens up about living with bipolar disorder and the darkness he’s battled—including the day he attempted to end his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge at just 19 years old. Out of thousands who have jumped, only 40 have survived in 90 years, and Kevin is one of them1. Hearing him talk about the days leading up to that moment, the pain he felt, and the silence he kept out of fear of judgment is both heartbreaking and incredibly relatable. He shares how he used to hide his hallucinations, panic attacks, and deep sadness, and how the loss of his beloved teacher to suicide made him believe it was an option for himself.
But this episode isn’t just about the darkness—it’s about hope, resilience, and practical steps to keep going. Kevin shares the two life-saving actions he takes whenever suicidal thoughts return: looking in the mirror and reminding himself, “My thoughts don’t have to become my actions,” and reaching out to say, “I need help now.” These simple but powerful tools have helped him stay alive for 24 years since his attempt, and he urges anyone struggling to use them too.
We also talk about the importance of community, love, and small daily actions that can shift your mindset—like meditation, exercise, and even something as simple as a hug. Kevin’s story is a testament to the fact that you are not alone, your life has purpose, and there is always a way forward, even when it feels impossible.
If you or someone you love is struggling, please listen with care and know that there are people and resources ready to support you. This episode is raw, real, and full of hope. I promise, you’ll walk away feeling seen, motivated, and reminded that your story isn’t over. Let’s keep trying—together.
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