Episode 69 - Aligning with Humanity: Healing, Authenticity & Booked Trips with Jalisa

In this episode, Jalisa, founder of Booked Trips, shares her journey of aligning her life and work with her humanity, embracing imperfection, and creating meaningful experiences through travel and literature. She reflects on grief, Black excellence, entrepreneurship, and the importance of honoring the full range of human emotions—without succumbing to toxic positivity ([00:07:40 → 00:27:42]). Jalisa also introduces Booked Trips, a unique travel experience that combines literature, culture, and authentic connection ([00:31:38 → 00:40:48]).

Callout Quote:
“Toxic positivity is kind of gaslighting yourself…It is okay to be upset or sad. And to allow yourself to sit with that emotion.” ([00:25:46 → 00:26:52])

Takeaways:

• Align your work and life with your humanity, not just your productivity ([00:07:40 → 00:09:37])
  

• Allow yourself to be a beginner, fail, and play outside of your areas of excellence ([00:11:38 → 00:15:28])
  

• Use storytelling to reframe perceived failures in entrepreneurship and life ([00:15:30 → 00:17:39])
  

• Build a personal framework of rituals, hobbies, and activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul ([00:20:41 → 00:24:07])
  

• Embrace the full range of emotions and avoid toxic positivity ([00:24:08 → 00:27:42])
  

• Authentic communication and setting boundaries deepen relationships ([00:27:42 → 00:31:37])
  

• Travel intentionally with Booked Trips, connecting with local culture, history, and community ([00:31:38 → 00:40:48])
  

Highlights:

• Processing grief during the pandemic and prioritizing human connection over perfection ([00:07:40 → 00:10:14])
  

• Navigating Black excellence and the pressure to always perform ([00:12:42 → 00:15:28])
  

• Guided meditation to reconnect with your breath and clarity ([00:17:42 → 00:20:27])
  

• Creating a “mason jar of joy” and small rituals for self-care ([00:24:08 → 00:24:57])
  

• Experiencing Booked Trips in Panama, South Africa, Ghana, Vietnam, Morocco, and Colombia ([00:31:38 → 00:40:48])
  

Quotes:

• “If there wasn't any room for me to grieve…this is not how I want it to operate in life.” ([00:07:40 → 00:09:01])
  

• “I want to be in the practice of operating the way I say I believe.” ([00:09:01 → 00:09:11])
  

• “What about black mediocrity? I want to be kind of mediocre.” ([00:14:14 → 00:14:59])
  

• “Toxic positivity is kind of gaslighting yourself…It is okay to be upset or sad.” ([00:25:46 → 00:26:52])
  

• “Most people don’t know that something is creating tension until you tell them.” ([00:31:11 → 00:31:37])