Meet Erykah Holloway

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erykah Holloway. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erykah below.

Hi Erykah , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Growing up, I was a very shy and quiet kid. I never really interacted with kids my own age. However, I have always used storytelling as a way of expressing myself, especially when I am going through hard times. I would sit down in my room and write short stories. In elementary school, my fourth grade teacher signed me up for the school talent show called the school house rock that allowed me to break out of my comfort zone and build confidence. It was not until my college, when I realize that I wanted to create an outlet to share what I was going through and interview other creators who have a very similar story, which is how my podcast take 30 was born.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a podcaster and a mental health advocate. I have a podcast called Take 30. On the podcast I talk about mental health related topics such as anxiety and depression, selfcare etc. The goal of the podcast is to break the stigma surrounding mental health and to start talking about it. I believe if everyone starts talking about what they are going through, we can overcome the stigma of mental illness. Since starting take 30 I have accomplished a lot. I celebrated my 3 year anniversary of the podcast this past April. Another exciting accomplishment from the podcast is, my show won 3rd place in the stellar interviews category for the woman who podcast awards. We are officially an award winning podcast!! Another accomplishment from the show is I am now collaborating with a non-profit organization called NAMI Pinellas (National Alliance on mental health) a nonprofit organization in Florida, that spreads awareness on mental health issues. Their goal is to provide resources for students who are struggling with mental illness.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three qualities that have been very impactful throughout my journey are:
1.) Confidence – Podcasting has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone. It allowed me to find my voice and become a better communicator. Throughout the three and half years that I have had my show, I have built a strong community of people who enjoy my episodes.
2.) Resilience – Podcasting has allowed me to commit to a set schedule and making sure that I hold myself accountable, when recording, editing, and publishing my episodes.
3.) Ambition – Podcasting has allowed me to connect and network with like-minded individuals who also enjoy podcasting and creating content.

My advice for folks who are thinking about starting to podcast is to go for it. Starting a podcast is very simple, all you need is your laptop, and microphone. You do not need the most expensive equipment, in order to get started. Find a microphone that is within your budget, you can always upgrade at a later time. Next, figure out what your podcast is going to be about. For example, if you are interested in true crime topics, maybe you might want to start a true crime podcast; figuring out your niche will make the process more fun and enjoyable. Finally, start recording and publish your first episode. When you record and publish your first episode, it is not about perfection, it is about creating content that excites you.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I love to journal. It just gives me the time to declutter my mind without feeling any judgement. This will allow me to reflect and ask myself questions as to why I am feeling happy or depressed that day. I also enjoy reading a good book. Reading allows me to take my mind off of reality and brings me into a completely different world. If I could give advice to anyone who may be feeling overwhelmed is find activities outside of work, or your business that bring you joy.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thetake30podcast
• Facebook: Take 30 podcast
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@take30witherykah60