Meet Zipporah Banyay

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zipporah Banyay. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Zipporah , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

That’s a great question, and I truly appreciate the space to have conversations like this.

Being the only one in the room who looks has taught me how to anchor myself in who I am. I’m very spirit-led, and everywhere I go, I move with the flow of my inner guidance. I’ve survived a lot, and I’ve overcome even more, so there’s a quiet strength in me that doesn’t need external validation to shine.

When I find myself in those spaces, I remind myself that I’m not just representing me ’m carrying my ancestors, my lineage, and every lesson that shaped me. That awareness keeps me grounded and gives me the courage to speak up, even when my voice feels like the only one.

Over time, I’ve learned to pull from that deep reservoir of self-awareness. That reminder keeps me focused, effective, and aligned with purpose no matter who’s in the room.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Holistic & Spiritual AF™ is more than a brand it’s a sacred movement and multidimensional platform designed to help Afro-Indigenous women heal, rise, and reconnect with their divine essence.

Founded by Goddess Zee (Zipporah Banyay) energy healer, author, podcast host, and spiritual educator this space serves as both a sanctuary and a catalyst for transformation. Here, we focus on the full spectrum of healing: mental, emotional, spiritual, and ancestral. Our work helps women remember who they are at a soul level, reclaim their power, and walk in alignment with the wisdom of their lineage.

At its core, Holistic & Spiritual AF™ is about remembrance remembering the sacred power of softness, the intelligence of intuition, and the radical rest that restores generations. Through the Divine Feminine, we honor those who came before us while creating space for those rising now. This is the work of liberation not just for the self, but for the entire bloodline.

What makes this work so powerful is that it’s lived. Every class, podcast episode, and offering is born from experience, truth, and ancestral guidance. I don’t just teach healing I embody it.

Our offerings include:
The Holistic & Spiritual AF Podcast – Real, heart-centered conversations on spiritual awakening, energy healing, ancestral wisdom, and divine embodiment.

Healing & Spiritual Development Classes – Transformative teachings that weave shadow work, intuitive practice, and holistic healing to awaken your inner goddess.

Ancestral Writings & Soul Medicine – Books, blogs, and guided journals that speak life into your process and connect you to your lineage.

1:1 & Group Spiritual Support – Intuitive sessions rooted in cultural awareness and energetic alignment to hold space for your growth, grief, and glow-up.

As for me I’m a Reiki Master, meditation facilitator, intuitive healer, and medium with more than two decades of dedicated practice. My spiritual journey began early, guided by a strong connection to my ancestors and a deep calling to break cycles of generational trauma. Over the years, I’ve supported countless souls in transforming pain into power, helping them rediscover their purpose and spiritual sovereignty.

I’m also the author of The Five Stages of Shadow Work and The Ancestral Altar Guide, and the host of Holistic & Spiritual AF™, which continues to grow into a global community of conscious women doing deep soul work.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding into live retreats, summits, and in-person gatherings in 2026 spaces designed for collective healing, sacred sisterhood, and divine remembrance.

Because when we heal, we don’t just change our lives we change the frequency of everything that came before us and everything yet to come.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are being a seeker, staying focused on my own growth, and consistently applying the tools I’ve learned.

Being a seeker means I never stopped asking questions about life, about Spirit, about myself. That curiosity is what led me into the practices and wisdom that eventually became my calling. Focusing on my own journey kept me grounded. It’s easy to get distracted by what everyone else is doing, but true transformation happens when you turn inward and listen to your own soul.

And applying the tools that’s where the magic really happens. It’s one thing to learn about healing, but another to live it, to embody it, to make it part of your daily rhythm. Those three qualities not only transformed me, they healed parts of my family line and helped me understand what others experience when they first step onto their own path. It’s what allows me to be the bridge between where someone is and where they’re growing toward.

For anyone just beginning their healing journey, my biggest advice is: be gentle with yourself. Healing isn’t linear or tidy, it’s messy, raw, and deeply human. But the other side of that process is so worth it. It changes how you see yourself, how you love, and how you move through the world.

Also, stay focused on your path. You’re not responsible for dragging everyone else along or convincing others to understand your growth. Never be afraid to be different. As you evolve, you’ll naturally outgrow certain spaces and relationships and that’s okay. It means you’re expanding into the next version of yourself.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

I really appreciate this question, because everyone finds themselves here at some point. For me, I have a lot of moving parts in my life different directions, all equally important so yes, overwhelm definitely visits my door from time to time.

What I’m most grateful for, though, is that the same practices I used to heal have also become my tools for maintenance. On my podcast, I often talk about mind–body–spirit integration and how, when one of those areas is out of balance, We are out of balance. So when I start feeling overwhelmed, I take it as an opportunity a signal to stop and ask myself: Where am I out of alignment? What needs to be released or restored?

Meditation is one of my main tools. I meditate about five out of seven days a week, and I keep it realistic. Sometimes it’s eight minutes; sometimes it’s thirty. The point isn’t perfection it’s presence. Meditation helps regulate my nervous system, quiet my mind, and bring me back to the breath. When I return to that center place, everything around me begins to energetically prioritize itself. I can see what truly needs my attention, what can wait, and what I can finally let go of. Often, overwhelm comes from carrying things that no longer belong to us.

For anyone else navigating overwhelm, I would share the same advice: start small, but start somewhere. Even five minutes of deep breathing or stillness a day can shift everything. I offer guided meditations on my website for those who need support in creating that rhythm.

And don’t forget self-care. It doesn’t always have to be grand sometimes it’s a spa day, and sometimes it’s as simple as buying your favorite lotion, painting your nails, or cooking your favorite meal. Those small acts of love tell your spirit, I’m here. I matter. I’m listening.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://holisticandspiritualaf.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/holisticandspiritualaf
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticandspiritualaf
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@holisticandspiritualafpodcast