Start Where You Are -Birthdays and Milestones on The Trigger and The Truth

Welcome to the Trigger and the Truth podcast. I'm your host Tina White, and this is the space where we take a deep dive into the complexities of relationships— romantic, family, friendships, workplace dynamics, and of course entrepreneurship— and how they intertwine with our mental health and wellness. As a Dedicated mental health advocate, we don't just have conversations. We lean into the hard truths, peel back the layers, and journey together toward understanding, closure, and personal growth. More than ever, we're on a collective mission to find peace, clarity, and healing. This is your safe space to explore the moments that shaped you, discover your triggers, uncover the truths, and find the healing you deserve. So whether you're searching for solace, insight, or a fresh perspective, you're in the right place. If this is your first time tuning in, welcome to the conversation. I'd love for you to like, share, and pass this along to someone who might need some encouragement or insight. Now let's dive into today's episode and start this journey into self-discovery and wellness together.

Welcome to The Trigger and the Truth. I'm your host, Tina White. Today's my birthday, August 22nd. Big Leo energy, not the little one.

As we close out the month in Leo season, I'm celebrating more than just another year of life.

I'm celebrating another milestone moment on The Trigger and the Truth. Since launching this past May, we've reached over 280,000 streams across all platforms. Sites like Captivate, which is my podcast host, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify are seeing the largest audience thanks to my loyal and growing listeners. No social media following, no big marketing machine, just me, my mic, and my story. This podcast was an off-and-on thought for for years. Procrastination, perfectionism, and life itself kept me from launching. But one day, I looked at all of the episodes I had already recorded, logged on, found a host, had a designer put some things together, and I just launched. I got out of my own way, and I didn't look back. Part of my hesitation was the heaviness of the topics and the fact that I was now admitting to myself and to the world that my life has been a series of traumatic experiences that I wanted to bury, but the truth of the matter is there was no way that I was ever going to find peace until I let it all out. So here we are. Now let's talk about how procrastination is just fear in disguise. Fear of failure, fear of not being enough, fear of being judged. But here's what I learned. When you start, you give yourself permission to grow. You give yourself permission to improve along the way. Waiting for perfect will have you stuck at the starting line while your purpose, your calling, and your audience are already waiting for you to show up. Not only that, but waiting on perfection will paralyze you. For years, The Trigger and the Truth was just an idea sitting on my laptop collecting dust. I had episodes recorded, but I also had excuses and somebody's sun in my face. Not to mention the fact that I also had procrastination whispering, "Wait until it's perfect, wait until you're ready." And let me tell you something, ready never came. Had I waited, we wouldn't be here today to tell the truth.

Let's unpack a heavy bag that's been bursting at the seams. We owe it to ourselves to hold ourselves accountable, owning our part in the breakdown of a relationship. One of us might be a narcissist, or maybe both of us. Are you willing to tell the truth about your role? Did you burn sage only to pass out from the fumes? Are you perhaps the root cause of the problem? I'll go first. If I'm being honest, I can be problematic when my buttons are pushed or when I feel my boundaries have been crossed. God is still working on me, and that's why we're here. I'm taking this journey with you because I need healing just as much as anyone else. I've had to confront my own tendencies. I've realized that in conflict, I almost always become an avoidant. I shut down, walk away, and don't look back. That's not healthy. So, here's the question: can you face yourself and admit to your part? The first step toward healing is honesty.

Tina White. "Indignation is just fear in disguise. Fear of failure, fear of not being enough, fear of being judged." But here's what I learned. When you start, you give yourself permission to grow. You give yourself permission to improve along the way. Waiting for perfect will have you stuck at the starting line while your purpose, your calling, and your audience are already waiting for you to show up. Not only that, but waiting on perfection will paralyze you. For years, The Trigger and the Truth was just an idea sitting on my laptop collecting dust. I had episodes recorded, but I also had excuses and somebody's sun in my face. Not to mention the fact that I also had procrastination whispering, "Wait until it's perfect. Wait until you're ready." And let me tell you something, ready never came. Had I waited, we wouldn't be here today celebrating this milestone. So one day, I woke up and realized that the only thing standing between me And what I wanted to create was me. So I logged on, found a podcast host, had a designer pull together some artwork, and I launched. I haven't looked back since. It really was that simple. Once I made up my mind, it was easy. Now I know I'm making it sound simple, but that's because it really is. We complicate things for no reason. Now, I did have to steer clear of all of the distractions. Because when I did launch, I realized the only way I'm going to be able to remain consistent is to quiet down the noise. So no dating, nobody's son crying and lying in my face, causing unnecessary distractions. I've been laser focused and it's proven to work for me. But it all started with one decision. Start where you are. Starting doesn't mean you'll have it all figured out. It just means you've decided that progress matters more than perfection, that you'd rather stumble forward than sit still. And the crazy thing? Once you start, momentum builds. People notice, the universe responds, and opportunities show up that procrastination was blocking you from seeing. So if you're listening to this and there's something you've been sitting on—a business, a podcast, a book, a degree, or whatever keeps you up at night, this is your sign. Start where you are. Start big or small. Start messy if you have to. Just start. For me, the results have been overwhelming. The messages, the silent listeners who never say a word but still show up. The numbers don't lie. And for all of it, I am beyond grateful. I also did a soft launch for my podcast merch store. Truth and Tranquility Co., featuring self-care gear for our listeners. That's just one of many new chapters ahead. The full website will be available in the coming weeks. I'm not going to hold you guys much longer. I'm having the best day ever, and this is only the beginning. So stay tuned, there's so much more to come. As I continue to celebrate today, I want to thank you all for listening, sharing, and being a part of this journey. If you know me personally, go sip some wine, buy a pair of shoes, hop on a flight, or just take a nap for the kid. And when you do, remember to stop stopping. If you want to share your story of starting over, overcoming procrastination, or finally saying yes to yourself, call our hotline at 715- 702-8845. You can leave a voicemail. Your story matters around here, and you'll always remain anonymous and respected. This is The Trigger and the Truth, and I'm Tina White.

Thank you so much for spending time with me today on The Trigger and the Truth. Remember, It's all about uncovering those triggers, finding the truth, and building stronger, healthier relationships for ourselves and with the people around us. If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you'd like, share, and send it to someone who might benefit. Together, we're making mental health and wellness a priority. And always remember, never let your emotions supersede your intelligence. Take care of yourself, be kind to your mind, and until next time, let's keep uncovering truths, one heartfelt conversation at a time.