Join Dominic Lawson, the multi-award-winning podcast host, as he sits down with the unapologetic and vibrant Paula, the voice behind Talk Shit With P. In this episode, they dive into Paula's journey as a powerhouse project manager, her experiences as a Guinness World Record holder, and her passion for authentic networking. Discover how Paula's fearless approach to life and her dedication to mental health advocacy have shaped her unique brand. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with laughter, insights, and the power of being unapologetically yourself. Don't miss out on this engaging episode of the Dripping in Black podcast!
Follow Paula Sima: https://www.drippinginblack.com/paulasima
Dominic Lawson: https://www.mentalhealthrewrittenpodcast.com/
All things Dripping in Black: https://www.drippinginblack.com/
Dripping in Black Productions: https://www.dibkproductions.com/
DiBk Drip Shop: https://www.dibkdripshop.com/
Timestamp are not accurate
What is Dripping in Black?
Talk Shit With P
What is dripping in black? Intentional networking is dripping in black. Paula, talk to you later.
Episode
Dominic Lawson (00:01.602)
What's up good people all across the world. This is the Dripping in Black podcast. I'm your guest host, Dominic Lawson, multi award winning podcast, and I'm serving as director of podcast for Owls Education Company. Just want to thank the man behind the glass, S Square, for this amazing opportunity as always. We rock with you, S Square. We love you, man. Now, before I continue, I mean, again, you see the fit. You come on. You see it. Dripping in Black. Paula got one as well.
So if you want to get some of that drip and be swagged out like us go to www.dibkdripshop.com to get all of this merch to support your favorite show of the dripping in black podcast again, that's www.dibkdripshop.com Now let's get to the task at hand She is a powerhouse project manager and founder and visionary behind Wrap shit with P
a consultant firm specializing in branding, merchandise, gifting, and VA services. She also is the unapologetic, unfiltered voice behind the podcast Talk Shit with P. She is, believe it or not, a Guinness World Record holder. We'll get into that a little bit. Podfest is Glenn the Geek Herbert Community Hero Award recipient, female entrepreneur magazine cover star, and the first time author featured in the number one international bestselling book, Voice Your Vibe.
She's known as the networking Godfather and rebel with the cause. She is the bold, the brilliant, the unapologetic Paula P. Sis, how's it going?
Talk Shit With P (01:37.738)
Oh my God, I feel like you should read my bio all the time, like to hear it like that, I'm like damn, I actually did all this shit, you know. It's amazing hearing it, like I need you to introduce me all the time, like damn it. I am doing good. Thank you for having me and it's nice to be like with us, cause you've been on my show, like most of the time I've interviewed you, so.
Dominic Lawson (01:40.75)
Yeah.
You do dumb shit, Paula.
Dominic Lawson (01:54.542)
Say less.
Dominic Lawson (02:03.457)
Mm-hmm.
Talk Shit With P (02:05.895)
It's an honor to be here interviewed by the one and only Dominic Lawson on Dripping in Black. We are dripping in black.
Dominic Lawson (02:10.946)
I appreciate that. I know, right? I know, right? Now, Dripping in Black Family, listen, I'm trying to be on my best behavior because this isn't just an ordinary guest. This is my sister here. This is sis right here. This is family right here. So we're gonna try to keep it cordial. We're gonna try to keep it professional, but we probably gonna have a little fun with this. So you do with that what you will. So Paula, for the people who don't know you, obviously I kind of gave them a little brief introduction, but you know, when people meet Paula, they...
are just basically there. You're just infectious with your energy and your love and everything else in between. Just kind of talk about when people meet Paula, what are they getting? Like what are they getting in Paula P?
Talk Shit With P (02:54.248)
my God, you remember one time Yvonne was like, need the, I need a polar pill and I should probably create a pill or maybe, you know, with companies, post them, let's get a peace train or something. But they get love. I feel like they get a safe love because people end up just being open with me and talking things we never probably would talk randomly. But I bring that energy where people just feel safe to talk.
Dominic Lawson (03:07.019)
you
Dominic Lawson (03:12.44)
Yeah.
Talk Shit With P (03:22.442)
shit with me and I like it and maybe also it goes once they find out my name of my podcast which adds more to it but um I genuinely I'm an energy reader like I read energy and I just go where it goes and it follows and it spreads I feel like I'm an energy spreader I don't know but yeah they get safe love and it's funny because this season 10 I've been asking people to share their impression of me when they met me versus now they meet me and just hearing how
Dominic Lawson (03:39.438)
Mm-hmm.
Talk Shit With P (03:53.249)
changed much from the impression of me from when they met me to now but it's just like it has just gone deeper once knowing you but like you are just a ball of energy people call me a ball of energy and it's funny these days I don't have much energy but I try to whenever I show up I show up with great energy now that environment might determine how the energy goes but I come with if I'm showing up I'm showing up with the energy to just take it all in and give as much as I can
Dominic Lawson (03:57.218)
Yeah.
Dominic Lawson (04:12.695)
Right.
Dominic Lawson (04:23.69)
No, I appreciate that. I remember the first time we engaged with one another in person, right? I'm just walking through a hotel, the Afros and audio from the bar. I'm just walking with S squared and Krate and stuff like that. And all I hear is, Dominic I'm like, what the hell? Who is that? No, that's Paula. That is Paula. That is Paula. But, you know, with what's that being said, though, let's let's let's I hate to go here.
Talk Shit With P (04:45.053)
I am loud. I am loud, y'all. I am loud.
Dominic Lawson (04:53.538)
this early, but it's important because I'm the mental health guy. So I have to ask the question to give so much, right? To give so much. How does Paula get poured back into, right? Because sometimes people who are the ball of energy, the life of the party and stuff like that, sometimes that can be draining. That can be draining, right? So who pours into Paula or how does Paula pour back into herself or, you know, maybe it's both. I don't know. Kind of walk me through that a little.
Talk Shit With P (05:23.951)
So it is true and I get exhausted and for the longest time, like this is without just being in the podcasting community. Like even my dad will tell you from when I was a kid, I loved giving. Like my mom used to hate me so much because sometimes you'll be like, I'm coming home ready to drink my wine and put, already gave it out. Like I give, I give, I give. And I learned from the earlier age in time that it's okay to give, also be mindful, you know?
Dominic Lawson (05:35.075)
Yeah.
Talk Shit With P (05:54.02)
like the people we are giving are they always just taking or are they giving back to you? So that's why I don't even concentrate so much on where like if I'm showing up and I'm not getting the same love I'm gonna stop showing up. That's why I stopped complaining about people not supporting me. I'm like instead of complaining like my god my own people not supporting me or whatever I go where I'm supported so that way it feels I'm getting back as much in different forms and that's why I surround myself or I give more.
Dominic Lawson (06:07.053)
Feel that?
Talk Shit With P (06:22.994)
to where I'm getting back, including like the I of Breakfast Club, like you all pour so much into me. The Mopad boys, people don't understand why I fuck with them a lot, but they pour so much into me, just not professionally, but personally. Like, dripping in black after we went for the retreat, we've all kinda grown deeper because of the retreat, so we have formed even more deeper relationships, so.
Dominic Lawson (06:35.416)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (06:46.97)
Even Krate Ty, like I check in them every now they check on me, the girls, know, Dee, and for people who I just met this year, but they pour as much on me, we do accountability. So I concentrate like, I watch where I'm getting feedback as well, like Macbill, Podfest, all these people. So if they're giving back to me, I will continue giving back.
If they're not, I will eventually stop and find new people. And we know, like, and that's why I people sometimes I stop showing up in other communities because I'm not getting the same love I'm giving out. So it's okay to outgrow that. It's okay. Junaid once told me, interviewed Junaid at Podcast Movement and it was like, with everything in life, you graduate, right?
Dominic Lawson (07:20.621)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (07:32.262)
you graduate kindergarten to go to, and then you graduate to go to college and you graduate to go to life, or you graduate from single to being married, or married to divorce, like all this at certain point, it has to last. So I graduate from spaces that doesn't give back. I take what I got from them and keep it moving. So I really learn to lean in more on people who take as much as I give, but also
Dominic Lawson (07:53.911)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (08:00.717)
give back in whatever form they can give back.
Dominic Lawson (08:03.822)
100%. No, I'm definitely on board with that. I'm all about taking out of the pot, but also putting back in the pot. You know what I mean? And you're so right about that graduating piece. There's no hard feelings. There's no ill will or anything like that. I wish you the best, but it's just one of those things where years change, seasons change, moods change, directions change, values change, right? And that's just all a part of growth, right? You know, I mean, you know.
We don't, we're not around all the people we were in high school for the most part, many of us, because sometimes you just, you graduate, you change, you grow, stuff like that. So I appreciate you saying that. I also appreciate you sharing about the retreat, you know, that we, you know, that we do. I'll be, make sure that I also mentioned the elevation labs that we do as well here at the Dripping in Black Foundation. Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. Dripping in Black Elevation Labs that we'll be doing.
Talk Shit With P (08:35.322)
Exactly.
Talk Shit With P (08:54.19)
December 6th, the next one.
Dominic Lawson (09:00.236)
here and make sure you check in with us every quarter. Cause we'll be doing those from time to time every quarter leading up to the next retreat up there in Detroit as well. So I wanted to make sure I said that and got that in there, you know, giving S squared a little bit more work to do. But you know, you, yeah, go for it. Yeah.
Talk Shit With P (09:16.199)
And also to add real quick on the graduation part, right? I used to tell this, again, growing up, I used to love being around people and surrounding myself. So I've collected friendships and being the fact that I've moved country so much, so I have friends all over. But these days I barely talk to them and I tell people like, it's okay.
Dominic Lawson (09:32.002)
Right. Right.
Talk Shit With P (09:38.05)
There's no beef. We are not fighting. We're whatever. have just grown. Our time has come to an end. Like we are cordial. We love each other, but we don't have to be besties. We don't have to, you know, and that's perfectly fine. And I also tell people, if I'm a toxic person in your life, by all means, if you need to remove me, you need to stop following me. Do what's best for you and your mental health. Cause again, we are both of us mental health advocates. And I tell people.
Dominic Lawson (10:04.782)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (10:05.03)
I unfollow people all the time on social media because my social media, especially right now with what is going on over the world, I feel like, yes, there is freedom of speech, but I'm starting to unlike people who I don't want to unlike because of the shit that's coming out of their mouth with everything that's going on. Like it's okay to think them, but also be mindful of how you're sharing them and how it's coming out online. And that's why also I left Facebook because I was getting very, very different person. I was like, I don't like this version of me on Facebook.
Dominic Lawson (10:12.238)
Yeah.
Dominic Lawson (10:27.311)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (10:33.798)
So I had to take that out and I have unfollowed, I've befriended so many people. like, I don't want to see this on my timeline. It's not good for my mental health. My mental health comes first. So if you're not good for me, baby, I'm taking you out of the equation. I'm sorry. I don't care who you are. I've done that to family. My uncle, my aunt, like, I don't care, but you're not good for my mental health. You gotta go. So do that with what you will. As Dominic says.
Dominic Lawson (10:34.072)
Right.
Dominic Lawson (10:48.173)
is what it is.
Dominic Lawson (10:57.679)
I do say that a lot, don't I?
Talk Shit With P (11:00.454)
I told you we should have a should have a t-shirt by now like that's that's a tagline and I and I'll be wearing it as places that I said what I say do with it what you will okay
Dominic Lawson (11:04.271)
Fair enough, fair enough.
Dominic Lawson (11:13.165)
Right. There it is. There it is. You know, earlier you talked about your dad and moving around a lot and stuff like that. And that kind of leads me to the next question, which is I'm curious about where that fearlessness, that unapologetic approach comes from. I know you have talked greatly about your dad and how much he has inspired you and taught you things and stuff of that nature. want to know origin story, Paula, a little bit just from the standpoint of, know, where you grew up.
traveling around and stuff like that, but also where that confidence and that unapologetic nature comes from.
Talk Shit With P (11:48.995)
wow, so my dad is my best friend, he's everything to me, like God bless that man. And I hope he gets to bury me not the other way around, because God damn it. But I'm a government kid, so in Tanzania, one thing about being a government kid is you get blessed with a lot more resources. As people say,
Dominic Lawson (11:52.717)
Yeah.
Dominic Lawson (12:13.069)
Mm-hmm.
Talk Shit With P (12:13.733)
money gets stolen from the government. don't know when I say my parents did that, but I know half of my life was funded by my government, no offense. And that's why I tell people like, I know I was a privileged child. Like I'm not gonna lie about that. I was a privileged child. I was a spoiled child. And maybe that's why sometimes I still act bratty, but hey, it is what it is. And I'm okay with that. And that's why I love even seeing.
Dominic Lawson (12:38.958)
Mm-hmm.
Talk Shit With P (12:40.937)
black parents spoil and give privilege to their kids, the world is already tough enough. So if you can do that, goodness for you. So being a government child, I went to great schools. My dad also was big on education. He's gonna make sure he sends you to great schools, expensive schools. And if you pay attention in school, you pass, you do your whatever.
he will give you whatever you want. And so the traveling, all those amazing stuff. when, after I finished primary school, I was sent to boarding school. My dad didn't like it, but my dad was very busy, traveled a lot. And my mom was also going to school. So us being home was, you so I got sent to boarding school. So I feel like this when my...
my resilience started because when you're in boarding school, you don't get to come home every day and cry to your dad or whatever. You gotta be strong, you gotta figure shit out, you gotta make it happen. You only go home every three, four months. And for a person who was a tomboy and liked hanging out with guys, mother, girls, they sent me to a girls school, a girls boarding school. I did not last, like I...
Dominic Lawson (13:38.915)
Right.
Dominic Lawson (13:55.81)
Okay.
Talk Shit With P (14:00.876)
I made it until one semester. I cried to my dad. My dad was this close to take me out of the school in the middle, but my mom was like, she needs to learn. Let her do the one semester, then we'll transfer. So eventually they transferred me to a mixed school. And then I ended up having cousins there, whatever. So it was a little bit easier, but I think, and that's why I'll always tell people like boarding school is really amazing. Like it helps you learn.
Dominic Lawson (14:04.013)
you
Dominic Lawson (14:19.639)
Okay.
Talk Shit With P (14:25.526)
and think for yourself, think in your own toes and navigate life. Cause you gotta do your own laundry. You gotta make sure you are up and in class. You gotta make sure you're at lunch at the right time. Otherwise you miss the food, you don't eat, like all those things. So it started from there. And then my mom went to UK to study ACCA. She was in accounting.
So my dad got to keep me home for one semester because I moved from Uganda where I was in my boarding school. So I was in Uganda for like two years, I believe. And then I moved back home and I did one semester in Indah, which is Dar es Salaam where our city is. then, but I was still in boarding school where in weekends I go home because it was only me and my dad then. So.
This one even I figured out life even more being in boarding school back in Tanzania with my dad, but my dad not being around. And then from there, my dad was like, this doesn't work. You guys have to go to UK and be with your mom. That way you can get stability and stuff. So we moved to UK. I hated everything about UK apart from fish and chips. I feel like my depression started in UK, but I didn't know because how
winter is really dark and I used to not love living outside. I I love Christmas time in London, the lights, the decoration, but also it sucked my entire life. And eventually I had to tell my dad, can no longer, I took a year gap first. So shout out to my dad being a black father allowing me to take a year gap, cause that's not a normal thing.
Dominic Lawson (15:58.212)
Mm.
Talk Shit With P (16:08.532)
But it was like, I'd rather you take a year gap and figure out what you want to do than me waste money in school that you're just going to fail or whatever because we're wasting money. So I was in law school. I took a year gap. I realized I wanted to do hospitality and events and then I wanted to leave UK. So I moved to Malaysia. So this was the first time ever that I traveled by myself because when I went to UK, I was with my brother and my sister and my dad. My dad took us. My mom was already there.
Dominic Lawson (16:37.796)
Mm-hmm.
Talk Shit With P (16:38.537)
Anytime we traveled, it was with my mom and my brother. We used to travel a lot for Christmas and holidays. Thank you, Tanzanian government. So I started traveling in a young age, but never... One time I did travel alone, KLM, you know, they had a nice thing with kids where you get transferred and it was fun. But then leaving UK where I was packing my bags and going home, I hadn't been home for five years. And my dad knowing me...
It was like, you're arriving on Saturday, next Saturday you're leaving. Like some of my friends didn't even know I was in Tanzania until I left. Cause I only had one week and you have to see all these relatives and you have to see all this thing and you have been gone for five years. So you can't mix everything. I was like, with the way you drink and have fun, I'm trying to make sure that you, you are only seeing the important people you need to see. And we are out of here. Cause then I also had to figure out my...
Dominic Lawson (17:12.205)
Right. Yeah. Right.
Talk Shit With P (17:28.994)
my visas and all that. during the day, sometimes I'm also rushing embassies and everything. So I was on for a week. I traveled alone. But then my dad went with me to Malaysia and my dad being my dad, right? He booked himself first class and he put me in economy where I was put in business class for one flight and the other flight only had business and economy and he put me in economy and I was so hungover. was like, damn dad. It was like the flight was.
fully booked i'm like yes sure okay whatever but i'm gonna suffer and it would work from first class to come and check on me how are you doing i'm like shut the fuck up leave me alone
Dominic Lawson (18:00.366)
you
Dominic Lawson (18:06.864)
You
Talk Shit With P (18:09.567)
But we went to Malaysia, he stayed with me for one week and then he left. And I think that's when he teach like, I'm finally in a place by myself, because every time I've traveled, I've had friends or family. So this was the first time I was, my God, I'm in a new country. There's no dad, there's no mom, there's no, you know, and I'm now in college as well. So it's a different, it's not like boarding school where everybody's in the same place.
So this is college, you're living outside, you have the freedom. Nobody's gonna bother you if you're waking up to go to class or not, that's on you. Unlike boarding school where you need to be, you know? So everything started from there. And Malaysia being Asia way, they have Malay, a different language, and then they have different currency, and then they have, and I had to figure it all by myself, but I loved it, I think.
Dominic Lawson (18:47.844)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (19:03.01)
all that excitement about figuring it out and being in a new city and people being weird, like, you're black, what is Africa? and I'm like, Africa is not a continent, it's not a country, it's a continent, like all those things. And then from there, it just started where we would have, instead of going home, I would always jump into trips. If there are trips, I'm like, why go home? I already know my country. Like if I can have access to go to a different country and travel with my friends and
Dominic Lawson (19:13.242)
break.
Talk Shit With P (19:32.417)
God bless my dad. My dad always used to say it was more expensive having me in Tanzania than out there. So he'd rather find money and send me anywhere than have me in the country. It's like, when I have you in the country, you're too expensive. And I am, I am. Because again, it's daddy this, daddy this. But when I'm outside, it gives me a budget and you got to stick with the budget and figure it out. But when you're home, I'm like, there's no fucking budget. You're my dad, I'm home. You gotta do it. Again, the spoilt mentality. So then.
Dominic Lawson (19:41.488)
You
Dominic Lawson (19:49.082)
Right.
Dominic Lawson (19:57.904)
You
Fair enough.
Talk Shit With P (20:01.569)
I started and even doing, so when I went to school in Malaysia, I studied hospitality and what I liked about my college, you get dual certificates, so if you are under hospitality and events.
you have to go to France and do a semester. If you are under law, they had partnership with UK law school, so they went to UK. If you're under business, they had a partnership with an Australian, but you pay the Malaysian currency instead of the currency there, which Malaysia has the most like, literally we were paying $500 a month for a three bedroom, a bigger flat with a bigger kitchen and sitting room and three bedrooms all have showers and like, you know, so it was affordable and very cheap.
Dominic Lawson (20:33.977)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (20:48.659)
So, and studying hospitality, we did one semester in class and then one semester was supposed to be internship so you can get hands-on experience on what you're studying. So my internship.
Dominic Lawson (20:49.199)
Catch you.
Dominic Lawson (21:03.534)
No, no, no, go ahead real quick.
Talk Shit With P (21:05.182)
Yeah, so my internships I would travel everywhere my dad would be like
If I wanted to go to Dubai, they were offering me a job even though they were not paying me. My dad was like, it's Dubai, you are putting it in your resume. You went and worked in Dubai. I will fucking pay for the rent and the food for you. So I got those opportunities because of my school as well and my dad being willing to be like, yo, that's a good opportunity. Go ahead and do that. So that's why I got to be in Toulouse in Dubai and do all the stuff. was part of the college and my dad.
Dominic Lawson (21:17.04)
Pretty much. Yeah.
Dominic Lawson (21:34.769)
And that's, I want to ask you this really quick follow up before we move on to something else, because I think here in America, in the States, we're in such a bubble, right? And we think America is the world. Talk about, really briefly, talk about the importance of having a global perspective on things and how traveling to different places is not just important from the standpoint of stamping a passport.
but important for opening your perspective on different cultures, different languages, different value systems, different ways people move. Cause I think here in the United States, we think that like, we're the whatever, right? And we don't take into account other people's religions and cultures and stuff like that. And just talk about traveling abroad and how important that is just for human development, if you would real brief.
Talk Shit With P (22:28.274)
Okay. And that's one thing also my dad wanted to do is like, if we had stayed so much in Tanzania, our minds would have also, we would have that African mentality, which that's a whole other conversation. And that's why I tell people I'm not the typical African. I wasn't raised the typical African way, which I'm grateful. My dad wanted me to see the world. One, to him.
Dominic Lawson (22:43.46)
Gotcha.
Dominic Lawson (22:50.202)
Mm-hmm.
Talk Shit With P (22:53.371)
It was more like, don't want any man to come and tell you, I'll show you the world and they treat you badly and you stay with them because they're showing you the world. So I'm gonna show you the world. You can get an idea of how the world is, how different people are living. So you can find the life that you want for yourself and create it because it's possible. And that's also one of the other things where I really hate Americans. I'm like, you do know there's more than Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Like I feel like all, they just go to the islands and see.
Dominic Lawson (23:18.576)
You
Talk Shit With P (23:19.816)
And for people who have a passport that you don't even need visas for most countries, because I have to go through visa issues, visa processes, make sure they give me a visa to go to another country. You all have one of the most efficient passports in the world and some of them they've never left the country. And it pisses me off so much because, and that's why I also understand why they're thinking it's the way it is because going to different countries, you get to see how people live.
Dominic Lawson (23:38.02)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (23:47.111)
And maybe that's why I also can connect with anybody, whether old or young, whether Muslim or Christian, because I've been around all that. I've seen, I've tried different foods, I've heard people's stories, I've seen how the other side moves, because the TVs also lie. They only show what they want to show. There is more to those countries than what you're seeing on TV. And also, that's why I emphasize on people, when you go to different countries,
Stop just hanging out in the hotels or eating the hotel food. Go to the streets. Really eat the street food. Really talk to the street people. Like get to know the culture and it really helps with your mind and your thinking. And it also shows, even if you don't believe your privilege, it shows how much privileged you are. Like even in the smallest way, you come. And just...
Dominic Lawson (24:27.631)
Right.
Dominic Lawson (24:34.938)
Great.
Talk Shit With P (24:39.214)
It really just changes your mind and your perspective and your way of thinking. I believe in this. I tell people if you can travel, travel and travel it in a proper way. Don't just hang around at the good places. It's fine. You can have two, three days in good places. I love good places. But also really go and see those places that are there. If I could travel for the rest of my life, if I could have a job where I just travel and maybe that's why now I like Oracle because
Dominic Lawson (24:56.943)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (25:03.451)
Even right now with Oracle, they send me to cities that I don't even know or exist. And I'm like, damn, this is like a small town. And I used to think I wanted to live in a small town until they took me to a small town where everything closes at nine o'clock. was like, no, yeah, no, they say, they say it.
Dominic Lawson (25:16.272)
Yeah, probably not for you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, you're gonna eat
Talk Shit With P (25:20.84)
but it does change your perspective and stimulates the mind. Traveling and seeing other cultures stimulates the mind.
Dominic Lawson (25:26.915)
Right, it-
And I think that's important, right? Especially here in the States, but even no matter where you're coming from, I just know that perspective in the States. try myself, I try my best myself to be what I like to call a citizen of the world and not just a citizen of the United States, right? So even though I'm here in the United States, you know, and even if I don't travel to all those places, you know, physically, right? I know there's, you know, people here in the United States that...
Talk Shit With P (25:42.152)
Mm-hmm. Thank you, yes.
Talk Shit With P (25:52.635)
Mm-hmm.
Dominic Lawson (25:55.537)
still have their cultures from their homeland and stuff like that and just try to learn from them even here and just try to get to learn and understand and grow myself. But thank you for sharing that. I wanna switch gears here and talk about your brand. Talk shit with P, the podcast, the brand, Wrap shit with P, all of that. Just kinda talk about first the anchor word shit and why that's a big part of the brand. But also just kinda talk about
Talk Shit With P (26:03.998)
Mm-hmm.
Dominic Lawson (26:25.156)
the brand itself, how it's evolved, because it has evolved over the years, and why you created it, why you want to make an impact with it, and all of those things.
Talk Shit With P (26:37.831)
So I don't know, I feel like the word shit just sticks with me and probably because I talk so much shit and half of the time I tell people like I talk so much shit but sometimes my shit makes sense and maybe, know, clearly it makes sense for me to be invited here to be interviewed. So thank you shit. But so when I was starting the podcast, I was dealing with during COVID, right?
Dominic Lawson (26:42.096)
Fair enough.
Dominic Lawson (26:48.869)
Gotcha.
Dominic Lawson (26:55.28)
You
Talk Shit With P (27:04.478)
COVID, was so much going on with Black Lives Matter, there was so much going with Asia. And again, I've lived in Asia for five years, so I have people I consider friends and family in Asia, so there was that. And then Tanzania, the winter, so taking COVID seriously, so being my dad without his sick and being home, me being white. So there was just a lot going on and I was in a breaking point where most of you know I do enjoy my drinks.
But I was drinking not to enjoy them, was drinking to numb it, which I saw myself going on a very black rotten hole. And then I ended up writing a letter to my ex and I went on Twitter when Twitter was Twitter and I started talking shit about it because again, I was drunk and I started talking shit about it. And somebody was like, you know, you have a lot of shit to say, shit start a podcast. And we're like, what are we going to call it? Talk shit with me. People come and talk shit with you and you figure it out. So.
We have rebranded. The logo has changed. After two years, the logo changed. And shout out to Travis Brown, who gave me, told me like, your podcast, it's you talking to people. People who know you, we see your energy and you bring it on your podcast. I feel like your logo should have your face so people can tell your energy. And that's why we changed the logo. And I loved how people loved it. It works. It's really me with the tongue out and the beer, like the best way.
And I wanted to make sure that even though I'm going to this spaces and I'm not code switching, you know, they call it code switching, right? When you're black in certain places, you have to be kind of white-ish so that you can be accepted or even like customer service, right? You have your customer service voice and then your normal voice, all that. I was like, fuck no. I like it's too.
Dominic Lawson (28:45.583)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (28:53.176)
exhausting having to be this person and this person. I'm like if I'm going to start a business or even build this, I want it to be authentically me. even one time somebody was like, you know, your name being wrap Shiit with P, your company, some people might not want to work with you. I'm like, that's fine. know the people I want to work with because if you're going to have an issue with the company name Wrap Shit with P, then you're probably not the best client for me, clearly. So I'm not just going to do it because, I want
Dominic Lawson (29:17.434)
Right, right.
Talk Shit With P (29:21.521)
clients and that's why I'm also very particular with the people who I want to work with and everything. mean, yeah, Dominic is my client. I'm just saying, you know, not to fluster anything, but if Dominic can work with me, I'm saying, you know, but everything started from seeing the opportunities that Talks She with P has gotten. You know, I tell people I didn't do this for money. Money would be nice. Yes, but
Sometimes we are so engaged on the money. We are forgetting all the opportunities. Like when you read my bio, I was like, damn, look at all that shit I've been able to do. And because I just started a podcast. So yes, am I still rich? No, but I'm walking into the richness. Okay. We are walking into the richness. But in between that, I have to remind myself of the stages I've been, of the opportunities I've gotten, the people I've met, the company I'm around, you know, the people who embrace me and the
Dominic Lawson (29:51.067)
Facts
Talk Shit With P (30:15.824)
Guest I've had on my show, all that matters. then I kept on getting let go from my job because again, job opportunities right now just suck. Some companies as much as they would want to keep you, they can't afford you. Everything is going to shit. was like, I am tired of constantly.
Dominic Lawson (30:29.893)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (30:34.788)
Yes, I love the safety net of having a job, but also it can be taken away anytime. And then you're back again to ground zero and job hunting is exhausting. Y'all could have to anybody out there was job hunting. That's all other job in itself. So I was like, from everything that I've learned, why don't just do it? And I remember when I said, yo, I'm going to start project management in my, in Wrap Shit with P You know, my friends always come to me because I'm a very thoughtful gift. I do cause again, I'm a thoughtful person. So.
Dominic Lawson (30:43.663)
Yeah.
Talk Shit With P (31:04.347)
When I think about gifts, I tell people it's not about the money. It's sometimes just listening to somebody. When I give gifts, people are like, oh my God, how did you know I wanted this? It's not about the money. Sometimes you can go to Dollar Tree and create a whole basket for $15 and somebody will be happy. So it's what you give them, the thoughtfulness behind it. So I was like, and since my friends constantly come to me and ask me, was like, well, I can make a job out of it. Now people pay me so I can gift your friends that way you feel like you're that thoughtful person you are that you're not, but you know.
Dominic Lawson (31:10.223)
Yeah.
Talk Shit With P (31:34.076)
Good as to you, I came on. But then the VA service came out. I like, I was already working for a VA service. I do already all this shit. Why not start my own and look at, if I tell you my client list, y'all, I got Dominic, I got Walter, I got many faces, like, and it's growing. I just got, somebody just sent me a LinkedIn.
message to introduce me to somebody who's looking for a VR. have a meeting with them on Monday. So like it's just growing and I like the security I have in it. I can work anywhere. I can go anywhere because I still work with Oracle every now and then. Literally I'm going to be in Nashville on Monday. They just send me an assignment. I like that they pay for my travel. I go do some shit I like, but I get to be in different countries and get in different places and get paid for it. And I can work from anywhere. I do my clients work.
Dominic Lawson (32:13.563)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (32:22.829)
I love how Talk Shit with P brought me to Wrap Shit with P and we're just getting bigger and better. And it's all about authentically, like everything with my company, everything with my social media is just me being authentically me. You can work with me or you don't, that's fine, but I am going to show up as me and do what I do.
Dominic Lawson (32:37.777)
and
Dominic Lawson (32:41.489)
And I love the word you use security because I think a lot of times when we talk about security, we're talking about monetary security, but there's a sense of security in just owning who you are and being authentically you and stuff like that. There's a security in that as well. And I imagine that's very freeing for you also.
Talk Shit With P (32:59.107)
my God, he gave me peace of mind because at the end of the day, I'm like, this is mine. Nobody can take it away. People can say whatever the fuck they say. But, and, I realized, yeah, stop telling people to start businesses because this shit is not easy. Like, let me tell you something.
Dominic Lawson (33:03.033)
Yeah, 100%.
Dominic Lawson (33:11.729)
Right. Listen, listen. No, it is not. No, it is not.
Talk Shit With P (33:17.529)
This shit is not easy but also having people like the higher breakfast club like you Walter and Chris just I can come to you with everything like even when I'm doubting myself and you're like man I feel like that's you're even charging shit and I was thinking I was charging a lot than what I had in my head and then I have people like Gordon on the low side where they're making sure I also do the right paperwork and have it all this way and it just
That's why I emphasize on people being authentically yourself and I am all about intentional networking because even some people like...
Dominic Lawson (33:55.302)
And I wanna key in on that part right there because the thing is with networking and you do it so well, I mean, you're the networking godfather. I mean, it is what it is. I wasn't gonna toot my own horn, but I got you.
Talk Shit With P (34:03.972)
Thank you for you. I mean, the name came from you technically. I'm just saying like, my, my, no, my ego, my, my ego went so big when I watched that and every, I think I watch it every month. Every time I need to remind myself like Paula, I keep watching that to refresh. But yes, continue, sorry.
Dominic Lawson (34:19.119)
gotcha.
Right. No, no, you're good. you've always done that so well. For as long as I've known, you've always done that so well. And that's one of the things when it comes to, you just talked about building a business or starting a business extremely hard, right? That's one of the things that people are afraid to do is the networking piece. Talk about, or not talk about, give us a few pointers, like maybe two or three tops of like,
what makes a great networker and how you're able to leverage that into workable, know, like monies and opportunities and stuff like that. Cause you do that fantastically well.
Talk Shit With P (35:01.315)
Thank you so much. appreciate that. So the thing is, with moving around so much, I've always had to make friends and create my own families, right? Going to different places and whatever. yeah, so eventually, and it's funny because I'm technically a shy person, but people don't believe me when I say.
Dominic Lawson (35:03.249)
Mm-hmm.
Dominic Lawson (35:10.565)
Fair enough. Yeah, yeah. That makes sense.
Dominic Lawson (35:20.945)
You could have fooled us.
Talk Shit With P (35:24.087)
Like I can, I can easily walk into a group of people and talk to people. if you put me on a stage, just people have to look at me like I'm on the spotlight. I kind of get shy, but like disrupting I'm very good at disrupting. Like I can walk up and disrupt. So, so the first year when I started going to podfest in 2020, when I started my, my podcast, BuzzFront gave me a free ticket. were doing a virtual one, which was actually vidfest in 2020 towards the end of the year.
Dominic Lawson (35:37.627)
Got you.
Talk Shit With P (35:52.792)
Then in 2021, because I was in their email list, they sent an email for speakers for the global, were doing the virtual one. And I was like, let me apply. I'm like, I feel like my name should be in these communities because now I'm starting podcasting, but I wasn't applying wanting a yes. was applying, trying to get myself comfortable with no, was like, this is a new world I'm entering. I'll be hearing no a lot. So wanted to get comfortable with it that way that I don't take it personal.
But then I ended up getting a yes. was like, oh shit, now I actually got to speak. So because I met all these people virtually when I went to the first in-person conference in 2020, I think it was 2022. And I met so many people. And then when 2023 was coming again, Podfest I was like, oh shit, I barely even the people who I met or whatever really connected. So I started, I was like,
My word is going to be intentional. was like, Paula, you can't just keep going to conferences and then just waiting until the next year to meet these people again. There are some people, so go start being intentional with your networking and doing followups and whatever. So that's when in 2023, I went to that mindset. Like we're going to be intentional networking. So when I meet people, like I make sure I really, even if it's like two, three quick minutes, because again, I was still new. My port Podfest business started in 2020.
four. And in 2023, I decided to volunteer. I like, when I volunteer, I'll get to meet more people than as I am attending. So I volunteered, they love me. That's why I went from volunteer to ambassador to mayor to governor now, like because of the intentional networking and I would meet people and I really want to know about them.
Dominic Lawson (37:21.372)
Mm-hmm.
Dominic Lawson (37:27.644)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (37:42.535)
And that's why it takes a while for people to know me because I don't talk about myself as much. I just want to know about you. And then my head just clicks when you tell me certain things. I'm like, shit, I just met this person. I feel like you guys will connect because of that. So I started connecting people and it just became something that I love because I tell people. And this is why I also like volunteering and working in events because you get a little bit more access.
to make people in different variety. But also when I see people who have connected either collaborating or just telling me, know, I had a very great conversation with this person, thanks. That soothes my heart. And the reason why I do intentional networking is because most people want the quick money. Like what can they do for me right now? They're not playing the wrong game. Like, yo, just build that relationship. You never know.
Dominic Lawson (38:28.497)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (38:32.201)
Like look at Mowpod they do amazing stuff. Even though Mademoiselle we were rapshit with you were like, Paula, if you're doing corporate, you know, we should be your first clients. I'm like, I'm saving my favors. Don't worry. I'll come to you. Correct. Cause even when I come, even though I know they would never say no, but I don't want it to just be a favor. want it to some coming properly like a business. Even if you're helping me on a favor, but I came the right way.
Dominic Lawson (38:54.928)
And that's something I've always appreciated about you, Paul. Like, you know, we will laugh, kick it, talk shit, all the things, right? But when it comes down to business, are focused and analytical and thoughtful and stuff like that. I remember, I'll never forget, hopefully I'm not spilling too many beans. I remember I did your show. I came on your show and he said, hey, Dominic, I need you to sign this release form. And you hounded me down to make sure I signed that release form.
And I didn't take it as whatever. I think I just kept, you know, being busy and just forgot about it and just had the other like, dang, let me just do it. only gonna take like two seconds, but you were very adamant like, no, we need to get, we need to get this on wax. And then we got that on wax and he's like, all right, let's talk shit again. Right. So I have always appreciated how you're able to flip that switch from personal to professional to business to friendly and, and all the things. And I think a lot of times when we talk about
You know, they always say don't do business with friends, but I think you can, but I think you just have to have those boundaries in place when like it's time to talk shit and it's time to get work. Right. And so I think you've always done that really well.
Talk Shit With P (40:02.894)
so much yeah. Even and it's funny because that template I still use it from Gordon he has free templates and I even made my dad sign a fucking release format like yeah I'm a lawyer's daughter like I don't care I was like I know Talk Shit with P will be big and I don't need you to come sue me for my coins once I start making them so we are gonna sign this I don't care but even even with money right literally when he was like okay I'm gonna sign with you
Dominic Lawson (40:10.866)
Yeah.
See, there you go, right? Right.
Dominic Lawson (40:22.29)
Exactly. Exactly.
Talk Shit With P (40:31.094)
I did. Yes, my damn dad, he signed. He sure did. My dad, my mom, my bonus mom, they all signed. I have them in a folder. if you have been on talk show, if you have been on talk show, you will sign the press release. I don't care who you are. even, God don't love to that a lot. It's like, you really are a loyal kid. I'm like, I don't play. My brother even made a documentary, because my brother is a recovering addict, right?
Dominic Lawson (40:40.954)
Right. Yeah, Paula don't play it like that.
Dominic Lawson (40:46.642)
Right.
Dominic Lawson (40:59.088)
Right, right.
Talk Shit With P (40:59.284)
So he wanted to share his story and he made it and he was showing people's faces and whatever. I'm like, Patrick, make sure you sign press releases because they can come back. If this documentary starts making money or they don't like how they look, they will see you say, damn, I didn't think about that. I'm like, you are a lawyer's kid. You should think about that.
Dominic Lawson (41:09.68)
Right.
Dominic Lawson (41:13.166)
and the
Right, and the funny thing is, I've seen this in the music industry a lot where people will purposely wait until something blows up and then at that very moment, they were like, hey, I need to run me my coins. So no, I've seen that before. That's wild, yeah.
Talk Shit With P (41:24.688)
right your way exactly exactly exact and we have seen it too many times even like mom suing their sons just because they don't like how much they get so i'm like i'm not playing with that and even with money when when i signed it i literally like rapture wp and and i didn't know how to do any of this shut up to chart gpt because it has helped me work my i have an entire onboarding i have an invoice i have like
Dominic Lawson (41:36.166)
Yeah.
Right.
Talk Shit With P (41:53.715)
He literally got to us like, damn Paula, you're serious. I'm like, it's no longer this little business of mine. This is rigid. Like we are going to get paperwork and make sure everything is stated. We have NDA, we have everything non-compete, like everything set. And I made sure I ran it through Gordon because it's the lawyer. was like, did I use the right terms? Am I missing anything? Gordon is like, Paula, you don't pay me enough for this shit. I'm like, put it in my tab. My tab with Gordon is on back.
Dominic Lawson (42:00.391)
Right. There it is.
Dominic Lawson (42:19.763)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (42:23.443)
You gotta always protect yourself, whether it's friends or family. And I'm a person who like, even like, people have seen me different when I'm a Podcast Movement and when I'm at Podfest Podfest doesn't pay me, right? So I can do whatever. And even Chris says, yo, just let Paula be Paula as long as she doesn't get us in trouble. That's why at Podfest I can start drinking from 8 a.m., 9 a.m. I can get on the stage with a beer. They don't give a fuck as long as Paula is like, Paula is Paula. But when I'm at Podcast Movement, they are paying me. So whether I like it or not,
Dominic Lawson (42:47.698)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (42:52.544)
from nine o'clock to five o'clock, I'm on the clock. So there won't be no beer. You won't see me with beer. You won't see me acting extra crazy. Like I'm still polar, but in a profession. Then as soon as five o'clock clocks, the polar turn up, like we are in this shit. So I love that I myself have put in those boundaries for myself. Like we know when to play. We know when to work. Loyalty will tell you, like loyalty hangs out with me a lot in Atlanta. When I tell her, yo, today we are just doing content,
Dominic Lawson (43:01.587)
Right.
Dominic Lawson (43:19.997)
Mm-hmm.
Talk Shit With P (43:21.717)
We are working and doing content. Now, oh, yo, this we're going to be playing. We play and have fun. Like there's both parts. Like I don't play about my, when I, baby. And that's why I love MowPod because they also do the same shit. I feel like that's why we blend like when we're like, oh, it's time to play now, let's play. Cause even then when they come to Podcast Movement, they don't have a booth, but they are having meetings. So during the day, even when I see them talking, like I don't bother them. Then as soon as in the evening, yo, be
Dominic Lawson (43:29.757)
Work hard, play hard. I'd love to see it.
Dominic Lawson (43:36.019)
Yeah.
Absolutely.
Talk Shit With P (43:49.109)
we play, we play and we play extra hard.
Dominic Lawson (43:51.441)
Yeah. I want to, I want to key in on something that you said earlier, and this allows us to kind of shift gears into this part and Driven Black Family, make sure you check out all of the information we have in the show notes for Paula and follow her, hire her as a VA, all the things work with her in those things. Make sure you check those show notes for that. So you mentioned your brother and you mentioned him in recovery and he wanted to have a documentary about that. And you have been a fantastic supporter.
and getting the word out about Mental Health Rewritten, my new project as well, just kind of talk about the importance of being an advocate. We hear people who have firsthand accounts of like recovery and stuff like that and being, you know, an addiction and things of that nature. And we have clinical aspects of people, you know, who are in the field doing the clinical work and the therapy and stuff like that.
Talk about the importance of a role of an advocate because an advocate is that third pillar, I believe, is very important, if not just as important as those other two telling their stories in that clinical aspect. Talk about that role of being an advocate for real quick.
Talk Shit With P (45:01.876)
So what people don't know is my mom was also an alcoholic, right? She was an alcoholic. She doesn't drink anymore. My dad quit drinking. He wasn't an alcoholic. just didn't like the person he was when he was drinking. So I come from that family of like, maybe that's why also I drink too much. don't know. But my brother got into cocaine and that's why I fear that drug so much. Like I've seen how much it has damaged my dad, my brother.
Dominic Lawson (45:07.857)
Damn.
Dominic Lawson (45:19.43)
Gotcha.
Talk Shit With P (45:29.02)
The least I do is weed. Like I'm not doing anything else other than that. And even with weed, I'm very careful because my brother started with that and he became, it stopped doing what it needed to do. wasn't getting the high needed. And that's why he moved on to the next drug. So I never want to be there. That's why I'm very, also careful with what I smoke, when I smoke, why smoke it with.
Dominic Lawson (45:43.846)
Mm-hmm.
Talk Shit With P (45:51.104)
so watching my brother almost over those three, four times, watching what, called it to, to, my parents. I knew, but I didn't know what it meant to advocate. And then when I started battling my own depression and, learning more into all these feelings I'm feeling and working on myself, I realized as well, especially being an African where in Africa, we don't talk about mental health. And when I started.
preaching about it, having all my friends, people come up and tell me, and I found out my cousin tried to kill herself and my family was hiding it. So once I started hearing all these stories and seeing how people are suffering, I realized even though I'm also battling my own thing, people need people to advocate for these things so that they can feel seen. And I think all we want is that one person to start the conversation.
and then you feel sin and you start and that's why it was important to me. I'm like, people do wanna talk about this. People do want to get help. They're just scared because the world made it seem like you can't or this shouldn't be talked about. This is taboo, you have to keep it in. And I feel the biggest issue, I tell people, sometimes you give yourself the depression and anxiety because one, you wanna pretend you're something you're not, either in social media or whatever, that brings anxiety because.
Dominic Lawson (47:01.607)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (47:17.555)
If I'm showing up as this person on social media and then I go to a place and the people who are following me on social media there and I'm not what they are. That brings anxiety like, now you gotta hide, now you gotta pretend, now you gotta start your, oh my God, your ring on your white voice because online you're talking like a white person but you are a hoola bitch, like, make it make sense. So that also brings more anxiety, brings more depression, brings more...
Dominic Lawson (47:26.512)
Yeah. Right.
Dominic Lawson (47:34.786)
Right, right.
Talk Shit With P (47:43.323)
And I'm a person these days, I love peace. Like that's why I don't deal with bullshit. Like I am quick to cut off or whatever because I want peace of mind. If you're not bringing peace in my life, you gotta go. And that also comes with cleaning your depression. So advocating for it became a number one thing for me because of, especially when I found out my cousin tried to kill herself and the fact that she couldn't even talk to me. And I was like, damn, am I not that good of a person?
I started judging myself. Am I creating the space that people feel open to come and share with me? Because why would she go, which I also understand because there are times I've thought about ending my life. Like I get when you're in that side, sometimes you don't even, even if you know you have people, you don't feel it. The reason I have never tried it is because I know that shit will kill my dad. Like, cause I'm grateful and I'm blessed that I have a dad.
Dominic Lawson (48:28.273)
Yeah.
Talk Shit With P (48:36.828)
who will go above and beyond for anything. It might not have money, but it will find it if I need it. Like all I need to do is just ask and have a conversation with it. It's always willing to hear me out. My dad apologizes when he's in the wrong, which is something most black fathers don't do, especially African fathers. My dad has conversations, whether it's sex, whether it's alcohol, whether, like he will have it. So in my head I was like.
If I have this support, why would I do that? Right? Cause I know if I tell dad, I need to go to rehab, he'll find the money and put me in rehab. Dad, I need this help. need a therapist to do that. But then I realized some people don't have that. So that's why it was important for me to provide that. And that's why even my podcast, Talk Shit with P I wanted it to be a safe space for people to just come and share their struggles. And maybe some people who are listening out there, can be like, yo, I might not have anybody here, but I have Talk She Will Be. That's a safe space. I can go listen. I can.
Pola is gonna advocate for me. But also what I've learned with now mental health, because we are talking so much about it, I also hate the people who milk it. Like I don't want you to tell me, I'm like this because of my ADHD. I'm like this because I'm depressed. Bitch, we are all depressed. And if you know you're depressed, what are you doing about it? Are you getting help? Are you going? But if you're just using that as an excuse for you being a shitty person or doing shitty things, I can't roll with that. So that was the part when I was like.
Dominic Lawson (49:44.787)
pray.
Talk Shit With P (49:54.138)
I love how 2020 people started because of COVID, people started talking about mental health, but I also hated how people were excusing bad behavior because of mental health. Like, no. But I'm always gonna be an advocate, first for myself, for my family, and for everybody out there, because me, myself being in the position where it's so dark, and I know I have amazing people, but sometimes even the thought of calling somebody to cry about.
Dominic Lawson (49:59.132)
Yeah.
Dominic Lawson (50:04.378)
Yeah.
Talk Shit With P (50:20.786)
I like also how I hope we have created a place where if you say, you remember that video, like we have 12 minutes. If you say that, we know it's really something important. We'll find time. So like I have cried with you, Dominic, I've cried with Chris, I've cried with Walter. So the fact that you guys also keep on creating that space, people just need to allow people to be. And sometimes you don't need, there's not, one thing I've started with my friends also is when they,
Dominic Lawson (50:30.791)
Yeah. Yes.
Talk Shit With P (50:48.754)
call me or message me like I need to talk to you I'm going through this I ask them do you want to vent or do you want advice because again we are also very quick to jump oh you should do this this they don't care sometimes you don't want to be told what to do you just want somebody to listen to you vent or cry so when they tell me I just want to vent so they'll jump on the call and I'll just listen I'll be like yeah I get you whatever and that just helps somebody just to have a five
Dominic Lawson (50:57.021)
Yep.
Talk Shit With P (51:15.099)
two minutes women conversation with somebody who just crying without being advised. And if they say I want an advice I go in the mindset like okay, so we are going to get to actually because I'm very quick to be like but you know you can do this, this, this, this. So I'm trying to be also mindful about.
Dominic Lawson (51:29.233)
Right. You know, it's interesting, know, first of all, thank you for sharing that piece about that ideation that you talked about earlier. Not often people talk about that part. And I would be remiss as we're recording this, it's Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. And when you talk about how that would have affected your father.
Talk Shit With P (51:30.116)
Mayhem.
Dominic Lawson (51:57.428)
I just recently released an episode of Mental Health Re-Written, titled, know, rewriting the conversation about those left behind. And I shared a stat about like when somebody dies by suicide.
studies have shown that at least 135 people are affected by that. And when we were talking earlier about networking and stuff like that and how engaging you are and the people you've touched, clearly that would have been well over 135 people. And so I say that to say, I'm so glad you're here. And that a lot of people would definitely would have been affected by that, well over that stat.
Talk Shit With P (52:33.2)
Thank you so much.
Dominic Lawson (52:40.753)
I just wanted to say that.
Talk Shit With P (52:42.189)
And it's funny you say that, we talk about that because recently we lost Todd. Like I feel like this year we have lost amazing people in the podcasting community. And that's one of the reasons why I'm also very fearful of going to Portfast in January because no Todd, no Neil. It's just going to be a certain emptiness left. But also it got me thinking, like when I hear the stories, I'm like, yo, because when I went to Podcast Movement this time and somebody asked me, what was the greatest thing about Podcast Movement this time? They interviewed me and I said,
Dominic Lawson (52:50.641)
Yeah.
Talk Shit With P (53:12.162)
I did not know how much I was valued in this community because Jeremy, one of the guys who works with Podcast Movement when he saw me, introduced me to his wife, his daughter and his grandson. my God, his grandson wouldn't let me go. That white boy likes some chocolate. I swear he's going to bring home a black girl. I'm just saying. Every time he saw me and he was literally like six, seven months old, but he would run to me and just ask me and he doesn't want his money.
Dominic Lawson (53:30.826)
Hahaha!
Dominic Lawson (53:35.667)
You
Talk Shit With P (53:39.6)
Okay, this is my boyfriend clearly I'm about to be a cougar. Jeremy pulled me to the side and he was like, Paula, you don't know how much your name comes out in our meetings. Like we always like make sure Paula is there. And even when I sit down with Chris, the fact that I was late for Veedfest, I wasn't there on Thursday because I was podcasting when I came on Friday. As soon as Chris saw me, was like, where were you? You know there's a void when you're not here.
Dominic Lawson (53:51.251)
Yeah.
Talk Shit With P (54:06.384)
And even people when they hear right now, yo, Paula is not coming to podcast, podcast in general. They're like, that's the government of podcast. What do you mean she's not coming? Like, Paul is going to be there. Like what is podcast without Paula? Lucky. I do want to see what is podcast without Paula, but lucky as I know I'll get formal once I start seeing people going. But even Joe was like, yo, if it's money thing, whatever, let us know. We'll make sure you're there. like, are you going to pay for me? Joe's like me? How fucking know about my company would. I was like,
Dominic Lawson (54:14.459)
You
Right.
Talk Shit With P (54:36.207)
Okay cool, I get what it is coming from, you're tax this shit. Okay cool. But in my head once I started seeing Todd and after having this composition I was like, I really do see that when I die I feel like I'm gonna leave a very big void and in my head I'm like, Paula, as much as you think about suicide and life gets tough, but also think about all these people who really do love you, check on you, sure. I mean, Shawn himself,
He checks on me every now and then randomly, weirdly. Like, Shawn texted the weirdest times and days, like he remembers me a random time. Like the other day he texted me, was like, I'm learning a lot through your podcast. Shawn I've had my podcast since 2020. Are you just starting to listen to it right now? Like, damn it. Maybe my sexy voice got into him and now he went all the way back and started listening. Well, to see, to see how much.
Dominic Lawson (55:18.643)
You
Dominic Lawson (55:22.899)
You
Talk Shit With P (55:29.102)
To see how much I'm loved and appreciated when people see me like Jay, Jay that Asian nigga of mine, when he sees me around, he gets excited. I know, yo, yeah, he gets so up. He feels like, yo, I feel like I'm finally a family because Paula calls me the N word. I'm like, shut the fuck up. He wanted me, you know, he presented at my stage at Podcast Movement. was like,
Dominic Lawson (55:32.061)
Yes. Yes.
Dominic Lawson (55:39.795)
He's gonna get the kick out of that about all you know he likes that he can't he can't say it But he know you like you like when you say that
Dominic Lawson (55:53.212)
fuck.
Talk Shit With P (55:59.097)
you going to introduce me the way you do? I'm like, we're going to get kicked out of Podcast Movement. This ain't the place for this. Imagine going on Podcast Movement and saying, the nigga Jay is here and all the white people looking at you and it's an Asian guy coming like, first of all, the thought of you just using that word openly, but I did it to empower because. Anyways. so just to know that and also.
Dominic Lawson (56:03.166)
Right, right.
Dominic Lawson (56:12.564)
Right.
Dominic Lawson (56:19.049)
Yeah.
Talk Shit With P (56:24.047)
Even though I know that will kill my dad, because for me, it's always my dad, right? Knowing that it will kill my dad. But also the thought when I found out my cousin wanted to kill herself, the pain that I had, even though she, the attempt didn't work and we were still here. Yo, I called and I was like, I don't give a fuck what is going on with me. You need somebody, I'm here. Call no matter what, whatever you need. Like just the thought of that, was like, damn.
Dominic Lawson (56:46.59)
Yeah.
Talk Shit With P (56:50.4)
is this how people are gonna feel if I do actually end my life? because at least I'm blessed I know I can call Dominic and be like Dominic I'm struggling here help me or Shawn whatever I'm like the fact that I'm gonna be taking that away from them and ending my own life and knowing that they have to deal with the thoughts like man did we miss a sign? man I wish Paula could have like those thoughts those really
fuck with your mental health, like no lie, because I went through them. So was like, I never want to put this on somebody. And if I need, if I have to, will ask, even though I hate asking and you know, like I'm a person who really hates asking, but was constantly asking people, I can help them or I can support them. But when it comes to me personally, I don't and Christian,
Walter and Dominic constantly reminding me that you have to give us the chance to pour on you as much as you pour on yourself. So I'm learning by knowing that that help is there. All I gotta do is ask is what's like. So for everybody out there, I know life can be fucking exhausting, especially these times I now God. So lean on your people. And if you don't have anyone, I'm always here. Lean on me, please.
Dominic Lawson (57:41.236)
100%. 100%.
Dominic Lawson (58:00.445)
And if for some reason, you know, Paul is not there, she's busy helping somebody else, you can call me or if I'm busy and I'm somebody else, call or text 9 8 8. It's lifeline.org. It's it's free confidential 365 days a year, seven days a week. you can call it to talk to a counselor or something like that. I feel like I have to get that in there. Call or text 9 8 8. If you're going through a tough time, just wanting to make sure I say that. So we are rounding 1000%.
Talk Shit With P (58:24.949)
You are valued and we want you here. We do want you here. You are valued.
Dominic Lawson (58:30.355)
1000%. We would miss you greatly. We will miss you greatly. So we are around the third heading home here before we start to wrap this up. Paula, I just want to say thank you so much for coming on the Dripping in Black podcast. We always appreciate your time and energy when you pour into this community from the elevation labs to now coming on the show, every coming to the retreat and everything else in between. Just want to say thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much.
And so with that being said, we want to immortalize your time here on the Dripping in Black podcast. We always want to make sure people feel valued and appreciative. And so I think S Squared is going to cue something up for you as we kind of go through this last piece of the conversation. what I wanted to ask you now is you are building an empire and
You have touched so many lives. of PodCat, Governor of PodFest, know, Wrap shit with P, touching lives, networking, all the things, the godfather of networking, right? When it's all said and done and it's time for Paula to go on to the ancestral plane, if you will, what do you hope will be the legacy
Paula Sima Like, what do you think, what do hope people will say, Paula was this, Paula was that? What do you hope that legacy to be?
Talk Shit With P (01:00:03.37)
I want to be known, seen as the light. And that's why I try to bring so much positivity than negativity. I want to make sure everybody I've touched have felt the love. Probably the best love you've ever felt. I don't care if you have a husband or a wife. I don't give a fuck. My love should be the greatest love you've ever felt. I'm just saying.
Dominic Lawson (01:00:21.3)
Hehehehehe
Talk Shit With P (01:00:24.862)
No, and I was thinking about this the other day. was like, again, Todd passing away, it really brought in a lot of compositions in my head. And I was like, and reading those, makes you question. And probably selfishly, maybe that's why I ask people what you thought about me when you make me versus now, because I want to hear, know, like, give me my flowers before I die. When I'm dead, I don't know if we even read those, she took and tell, because how would I know what you're telling if I'm already gone, right? But I want to make sure that
Dominic Lawson (01:00:33.801)
Yeah.
Dominic Lawson (01:00:51.977)
Great.
Talk Shit With P (01:00:54.184)
It is known that Paula brought light into every area she walked into. And that's all I want to be. I want to be a light.
Dominic Lawson (01:01:05.812)
You have definitely been a light in my life. You have been a light in Kenda's life as well as the number one fan of the B-Word. The now award winning podcast known as the B-Word.
Talk Shit With P (01:01:18.525)
dropping today
Talk Shit With P (01:01:24.992)
Fuckin' yeah.
Dominic Lawson (01:01:28.148)
There's that. But no, Paula, you are a dear friend. are family. Zoey has accepted you. So now you're locked in for sure. When Zoey accepts somebody, that's my daughter, Drip Your Black Family. When Zoey says, yes, that's for life.
Talk Shit With P (01:01:37.579)
When Zoey says yes, it is what it is.
And it's funny, right? When you speak about Zoey it's funny because I met, because Chris always brings his kids to Podfest right? The entire family comes there. And they have loved me because I'm tiny and I had blue braids. They were excited because there were two different colors of...
blue blades, again, white kids, probably they were the first time seeing braids, I don't know. But the way they gravitated to me and Chris until today is like, yo, my kids still talk about you the way you hang out with them. And then we had John Loomis who brought his three month, four month old and I hold him for, he's like, yeah, I'll never forget Paula. I think even though my kid can't speak, but I'm pretty sure my kid learned how to say fucking shit while being with Paula. Adam Shibley, I got to meet his daughter and hang out. The daughter didn't wanna leave me alone, which,
I loved but I was also so mad because I wanted to go see the sex taboo panel. But you can't take an 8 year old to a sex taboo panel. But I got to hang out with her. She made me do cartwheels and stuff. And Adam was like, I took this kid to Disneyland, but she will tell me that the highlight was hanging out with Paul. I'm like, because I can also play like a kid and because I'm so tiny and small, so I can also pass as a kid sometimes. Like I can be goofy with kids.
Dominic Lawson (01:02:35.817)
Mm-hmm.
Dominic Lawson (01:02:40.7)
Nah.
Talk Shit With P (01:03:00.404)
And that's what I think also this comes back to traveling and having this like I feel like cause I can hang out with older people, people my age, younger people and all the way kids. Like I can just grab wherever I am. I still have to be mindful of my language every now and then, but I can't help it, but I try my best. Okay. I'm trying here, it just, I love when even, funny enough, when Jay came to VidFest,
Dominic Lawson (01:03:15.006)
Mm-hmm.
Dominic Lawson (01:03:22.291)
Right.
Talk Shit With P (01:03:28.841)
he brought his girlfriend. when I met him, was like, my God, you do exist. Cause we keep hearing about this girlfriend, but we never met. And then yesterday when we went to, the other day when we went to lunch with Walter and all them, and then I share that story and everybody was like, but we have not met Hannah yet. I'm like, but we have seen pictures at least we've seen him get engaged on Instagram. So we know she's there. So today I get to go have in the evening.
Dominic Lawson (01:03:33.298)
Yeah, she's right. She does exist,
Dominic Lawson (01:03:42.676)
Mm-hmm.
Talk Shit With P (01:03:55.913)
bubble tea with Walter and Hannah and I get to meet Hannah. So, and this is when I say intentional networking, right? You end up really connecting with people where it runs more than now just friendship or business partners. It goes to meeting their family. Like Gordon tells me like, yo, the way my wife knows about you and Amanda, because we are constantly with Gordon in conferences, right? So his wife is like, you're with Paul, you're with Amanda. but the way it just...
goes and you become having this family because again intentional networking and we might have not collaborated or made money together but I mean you have become my client, has become my client, you all bring me opportunities, you all do that. So when you are not networking for right now you have to grow those when people once know you and really like you and energy it opens those to a lot of more collaboration, more money in the future, more so
Dominic Lawson (01:04:42.152)
That's the part. That's the part.
Talk Shit With P (01:04:51.441)
Don't think about right now what this benefits you right now. Think of the long game. I like playing the long game. Build those relationships. They become family, whatever. Eventually, know, once we get to shit, we're going to get a private plane and take all your motherfuckers to Tanzania. Let's go have fun on Wrap Shit with P Money.
Dominic Lawson (01:05:08.094)
There it is. There it is. There it is. And speaking of networking and relationships, do want to make sure we give a shout out to fellow alum of Dripping in Black, Krate Digga who Paula requested in these times. So just want to make sure to shout out Krate Digga and stuff like that. So, hey, really quickly, I think S-square may have that gift ready for you, wants to show you really quickly. Again, it's just a way to immortalize your time here.
on dripping in black. That's a fantastic picture. I love that picture. And you know what? We should laugh more. We should laugh more. So yeah.
Talk Shit With P (01:05:43.315)
Bye!
We should. Life is too... Wait! Krate picked this picture, right?
Dominic Lawson (01:05:51.412)
Mm-hmm.
Talk Shit With P (01:05:53.233)
love it! Shout out to Krate. I knew you'd pick a right picture even though you hate on me half of the time. But you my nigga now. I'm still waiting on my package but thank you for picking up a nice picture. This is beautiful!
Dominic Lawson (01:06:05.835)
Yeah, I love that. That is an excellent picture. Absolutely. again, we wanted to make sure. Go ahead.
Talk Shit With P (01:06:09.586)
But that's the
This is why I love us and I love, Dripping in Black again. shout out to Shawn, cause when I met Shawn, gave me like, the first time I met Shawn, he gave me like, why you shaking my hand kind of look like, fuck you. don't shake nobody's hand like that. Why you, but then, look at how all of this grew. I am so blessed that I was able to come to dripping in black cause it was also very last minute to the retreat.
Dominic Lawson (01:06:16.873)
Yeah.
Dominic Lawson (01:06:26.186)
You
Talk Shit With P (01:06:38.715)
And shout out to Mowpod sponsored me and they're sponsoring me again this year. So Shawn, get your shit together so I can get this sorted. being in that retreat, right? As much as we talk shit with each other, right? Cause you all talk, give me so much crap and shit, like especially Krate and Shawn and Ty as well. I say it, But the love also, like the love is so real.
The way you guys love and embrace me and just want to see me win is something I don't take for granted. Like I really love and appreciate you all and everything that you do and shower me with. Like it doesn't go unnoticed. Yes, you too, Shawn.
Dominic Lawson (01:07:14.484)
100%.
Dominic Lawson (01:07:22.098)
Well, well, you know, we, we, we, we love us and Paula and I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming on dripping in black in this iteration from the retreat to showing up in other places, the elevation lab and now here on the show. So Paula, thank you so much for coming on. Please make sure dripping black family that you check out talk shit with P on all your major podcast platforms. and also don't forget, don't forget the drip D I B K drip shop.com. You see the merch, you see the gear.
Right? Make sure you stop by there. Thank you, SSquared for letting me guess host and more importantly, thank you, Dripping in Black Family for allowing me to serve you on this side. Thank you for listening. Thank you for watching. Thank you for supporting and thank you for subscribing because I know you hit that subscribe button over there on YouTube. But until next time, be kind, be excellent on purpose. It's a choice. And as always, keep it black. Peace.
Talk Shit With P (01:08:11.686)
Make sure you leave a review on my episode. saying.
Dominic Lawson (01:08:14.386)
Yeah, do that too. Do that too.
Dominic Lawson (01:08:19.53)
And that part is it. Yeah.
Talk Shit With P (01:08:19.964)
Are we still in there? Woohoo!
Paula Sima
Founder
Paula Sima is a powerhouse Project Manager and the Founder & Visionary behind Wrap Shit With P, a consulting firm specializing in branding, merchandise, gifting, and virtual assistant (VA) services. She’s also the unapologetic, unfiltered voice behind the podcast “Talk Shit with P,” a platform sparking real conversations and building connected communities.
A recognized individual in the podcasting world, Paula is the proud recipient of the Glenn “The Geek” Hebert Community Hero Award (Jan 2024) from Podfest, a Guinness World Record holder (March 2021), and a Female Entrepreneur Magazine cover star (May 2025). Her voice extends far beyond her own show—she’s commanded stages as a speaker, MC, and moderator, from conference panels to red carpet press coverage for The Ambies. In 2025, she became a first-time author, contributing to the #1 International bestselling book “Voice Your Vibe” (Jan 2025).
Known in the industry as The Networking Godfather and a Rebel with a Cause, Paula is a fearless advocate for mental health, using her platforms, events, and voice to inspire connection, authenticity, and change.
Whether managing client projects, building brands, curating spaces for impactful conversations, or lighting up a room, Paula blends strategy, style, and a dash of mischief... always leaving every space better than she found it. Her mission remains unapologetically clear: to empower, connect, and inspire.