<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:psc="http://podlove.org/simple-chapters" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[The Bess Talks]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>A space for real conversations about wellness and existing — a place where listeners can tune in, reflect, relax, and leave feeling a little lighter!</p>]]></description><link>https://riverside.com</link><generator>Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:55:45 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://api.riverside.com/hosting/fAdEGQ4o.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><author><![CDATA[Bess]]></author><pubDate>Sun, 05 Oct 2025 17:16:43 GMT</pubDate><copyright><![CDATA[2025 Bess]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><ttl>60</ttl><category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category><category><![CDATA[Spirituality]]></category><itunes:author>Bess</itunes:author><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;A space for real conversations about wellness and existing — a place where listeners can tune in, reflect, relax, and leave feeling a little lighter!&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Bess</itunes:name><itunes:email>besstalks@gmail.com</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:category text="Health &amp; Fitness"><itunes:category text="Mental Health"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality"><itunes:category text="Spirituality"/></itunes:category><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/ff2e530c-13e9-443e-9163-2e13fc0a69a8/logos/f5babbcc-2335-4d47-be64-2b5e932559f5.png"/><item><title><![CDATA[Calmer Crash Outs]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>I recorded this episode thinking I was stepping into one version of my life… and days later, life humbled me real bad.</p><p></p><p>This episode, I talk about paying for college courses I did not finish, feeling disappointed in myself, dissociating, taking a tolerance break, slipping back into procrastination, and realizing that I do not want to keep helping life sabotage me.</p><p></p><p>I used to love learning. And honestly, I want a version of me back that loves to learn.</p><p></p><p>This summer, I am choosing to research, rebuild, and actually embody the higher version of myself — not just talk about her!</p><p>Happy Mental Health Awareness Month &lt;3</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">3851a681-4fc4-4b24-a183-cf7388bb13c0</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bess]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 16 May 2026 02:49:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/01c26449d392b16b05dbd4589e3e630ae2673fdf5e459eda89f561ac72b6dee0/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzODUxYTY4MS00ZmM0LTRiMjQtYTE4My1jZjczODhiYjEzYzAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZjJlNTMwYy0xM2U5LTQ0M2UtOTE2My0yZTEzZmMwYTY5YTgiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2ODZhYzM5MzRlNGNjMWMwODhjYjcxMGQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNmEwN2Q4YmRkMzRhMWQ3ZWRjZTc2NWY3L2Jlc3NzLXN0dWRpby13blNyQS1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTUtMTZfXzQtMzgtNTMubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="30020484" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/ff2e530c-13e9-443e-9163-2e13fc0a69a8/episodes/3851a681-4fc4-4b24-a183-cf7388bb13c0/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;I recorded this episode thinking I was stepping into one version of my life… and days later, life humbled me real bad.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode, I talk about paying for college courses I did not finish, feeling disappointed in myself, dissociating, taking a tolerance break, slipping back into procrastination, and realizing that I do not want to keep helping life sabotage me.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I used to love learning. And honestly, I want a version of me back that loves to learn.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This summer, I am choosing to research, rebuild, and actually embody the higher version of myself — not just talk about her!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Happy Mental Health Awareness Month &amp;lt;3&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:15:38</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/ff2e530c-13e9-443e-9163-2e13fc0a69a8/logos/f5babbcc-2335-4d47-be64-2b5e932559f5.png"/><itunes:episode>4</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Calmer Crash Outs</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Self Love & Sabitiyu]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of The Bess Talks, I’m opening up about self-love, identity, and the journey of learning to see beauty in myself even when the world consistently tries to make me question it. Self Love &amp; Sabitiyu is rooted in my experience of growing up between cultures and learning how to embrace every part of who I am—my body, my skin, my background, and my softness. Since February also marked a century of Black history commemorations, I wanted this episode to hold space for legacy too—for my people, the culture, and the history that lives in us. I talk about my grandmother Sabitiyu, what her name means to me, and how self-love is not always loud. Sometimes it looks like remembering, reclaiming, and returning to yourself. This conversation is tender, personal, and honest—and it’s really about choosing yourself over and over again. </p><p>A choice you can make everyday &lt;3</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">a23a86b4-ca32-4502-b96f-46b266ab7d93</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bess]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 17:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/94dae1ae0484cdcead0ebaae2c50b6c4865fad1b317c37d9d13b29409d27e325/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhMjNhODZiNC1jYTMyLTQ1MDItYjk2Zi00NmIyNjZhYjdkOTMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZjJlNTMwYy0xM2U5LTQ0M2UtOTE2My0yZTEzZmMwYTY5YTgiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2ODZhYzM5MzRlNGNjMWMwODhjYjcxMGQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjliZDQzMDFkYzFhMjU4ZGU0ZWNiYzYwL2Jlc3NzLXN0dWRpby13blNyQS1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTMtMjBfXzEzLTUyLTE3Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="35516229" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/ff2e530c-13e9-443e-9163-2e13fc0a69a8/episodes/a23a86b4-ca32-4502-b96f-46b266ab7d93/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of The Bess Talks, I’m opening up about self-love, identity, and the journey of learning to see beauty in myself even when the world consistently tries to make me question it. Self Love &amp;amp; Sabitiyu is rooted in my experience of growing up between cultures and learning how to embrace every part of who I am—my body, my skin, my background, and my softness. Since February also marked a century of Black history commemorations, I wanted this episode to hold space for legacy too—for my people, the culture, and the history that lives in us. I talk about my grandmother Sabitiyu, what her name means to me, and how self-love is not always loud. Sometimes it looks like remembering, reclaiming, and returning to yourself. This conversation is tender, personal, and honest—and it’s really about choosing yourself over and over again. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A choice you can make everyday &amp;lt;3&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:40</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/ff2e530c-13e9-443e-9163-2e13fc0a69a8/logos/f5babbcc-2335-4d47-be64-2b5e932559f5.png"/><itunes:episode>3</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Self Love &amp; Sabitiyu</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Still Becoming...]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Welcome back to The Bess Talks.</p><p>This episode was supposed to come out a long time ago.</p><p>I recorded it in December. It didn’t work.</p><p>I re-recorded it January 16th. I lost the edited file.</p><p>I had to buy new equipment. It was delayed.</p><p>We lost water during the freeze.</p><p>And in the middle of all of it… my grandma passed away. I miss her so much.</p><p></p><p>So if you’re listening to this right now, just know — this episode fought to exist.</p><p></p><p>And that feels fitting.</p><p>Because change is strange. Growth is uncomfortable. And becoming someone new rarely happens without resistance.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">1ac71dd6-e5d0-4b77-a497-068de53aacc2</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bess]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 08:24:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/4ccc9c1bde780b98329ade15565cf1aa79de2be0f5444b5794e23d9763f1d430/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxYWM3MWRkNi1lNWQwLTRiNzctYTQ5Ny0wNjhkZTUzYWFjYzIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZjJlNTMwYy0xM2U5LTQ0M2UtOTE2My0yZTEzZmMwYTY5YTgiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2ODZhYzM5MzRlNGNjMWMwODhjYjcxMGQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk5OTY5NTMwYWU3ZjY4MTg1MDk1YmM5L2Jlc3NzLXN0dWRpby13blNyQS1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTItMjFfXzktMTQtMTEubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="47584174" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Welcome back to The Bess Talks.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode was supposed to come out a long time ago.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I recorded it in December. It didn’t work.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I re-recorded it January 16th. I lost the edited file.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I had to buy new equipment. It was delayed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We lost water during the freeze.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And in the middle of all of it… my grandma passed away. I miss her so much.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So if you’re listening to this right now, just know — this episode fought to exist.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And that feels fitting.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Because change is strange. Growth is uncomfortable. And becoming someone new rarely happens without resistance.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:33:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/ff2e530c-13e9-443e-9163-2e13fc0a69a8/logos/f5babbcc-2335-4d47-be64-2b5e932559f5.png"/><itunes:title>Still Becoming...</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA["Present"]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>“Episode One is all about presence — showing up for yourself, claiming your space, and letting the moment be the moment.</p><p>I share the small real-life shifts that helped me reconnect with myself.</p><p>If you’ve been feeling disconnected, this is your reminder to slow down and be here.”</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">74f09315-3222-4fb1-b465-99d99aad9487</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bess]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 29 Nov 2025 20:23:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/1023e54f5b78afb5310086648b9e8377c9f0bff674d99436b6dfb1442d02964c/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3NGYwOTMxNS0zMjIyLTRmYjEtYjQ2NS05OWQ5OWFhZDk0ODciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZjJlNTMwYy0xM2U5LTQ0M2UtOTE2My0yZTEzZmMwYTY5YTgiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2ODZhYzM5MzRlNGNjMWMwODhjYjcxMGQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkyYjUwYzJiNDRmNTViMGE1YTk1ZTEwL2Jlc3NzLXN0dWRpby13blNyQS1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI1LTExLTI5X18yMS0wLTIubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="6659275" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;“Episode One is all about presence — showing up for yourself, claiming your space, and letting the moment be the moment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I share the small real-life shifts that helped me reconnect with myself.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve been feeling disconnected, this is your reminder to slow down and be here.”&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:09:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/ff2e530c-13e9-443e-9163-2e13fc0a69a8/logos/f5babbcc-2335-4d47-be64-2b5e932559f5.png"/><itunes:episode>1</itunes:episode><itunes:title>&quot;Present&quot;</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>