Episode 400: The Time is NOW - Welcome to Season 5 Celebration

Four hundred episodes. Three years. Thousands of lives changed. What started as a gift to herself for her 51st birthday—just four episodes in October 2023—became a daily podcast that has transformed thousands of lives.

Today, Nyomi celebrates Episode 400 and announces the biggest shift yet: Welcome to Season 5.

 From now on, it's primarily just Nyomi and you—real-time stories, practical exercises, lived teaching, and transformation. Occasional guests when intentional, but the focus is YOU doing the work, not just consuming content.

Plus: a major announcement about June 23rd. Something Nyomi's been planning for YEARS is finally launching. This is Season 5. More intentional. More action. The time is NOW.

IN THIS EPISODE The Journey to 400 Episodes:

• Started as a 51st birthday gift to herself in October 2023 (originally just 4 episodes!)
• Sitting at her altar 2 episodes in and hearing: "Daily"
• The nervousness of being vulnerable on this show (different from 17+ years in radio/media)
• Format changes throughout the journey as we grow and transform
• 400 conversations, stories, tears, breakthroughs, revelations, transformations

Honoring the Community:

• Thousands of listeners who've been transformed
• Messages: "This podcast changed my life," "helped me leave," "gave me permission to heal"
• The ripple effect: when one person heals, everyone around them is affected
• This was never about numbers—it's about transformation

Honoring the Guests:

• The incredible voices: healers, teachers, coaches, therapists, survivors, leaders
• ESPECIALLY Dr. Will Washington of Washington Wellness (cornerstone of this podcast)
• The altar moment in November/December: "If you want me to continue daily, send me some help"
• Dr. Will showing up when needed
• Gratitude for every guest who shared their story, expertise, vulnerability

What April Taught Nyomi (The Altar Confirmation):

• April 2026: Paused weekly guests, just Nyomi and listeners
• Shared real-time stories: green bathroom, 24 hours awake, production week, migraine altar moment
• Watched transformation happen through action, not just listening
• Realized: THIS format (just us) is the healing
• Went to her altar for clarity: sat for mornings, asking, listening, waiting
• Message was clear: It's time for a new season, new format, new mission

Season 5 Format Announcement:

• Primarily solo episodes: Nyomi + listeners (no more weekly guests)
• Occasional guests ONLY when intentional (specific topics, needed expertise, important stories)
• Not the norm—intentional and rare
• Mindset episodes: Real-time stories + teaching
• Action episodes: Practical work, exercises, tools, commitments together
• Monthly themes to guide focus and create momentum

Why the Solo Format:

• "You don't need more information. You need TRANSFORMATION."
• You need someone to walk with you through the work
• You need practical tools, permission, a guide
• Nyomi's role: COACH (like basketball coach, track coach, dance coach)
• Accountability, tools, working together to perfect it
• Sometimes guests dilute directness; sometimes you need clarity, not complexity
• Sometimes you need someone to say: "I've been there. Here's how. Let's do it together."

Season 5 Mission:

• More intentional. More action.
• NO MORE "I'll wait until the time is right" → THE TIME IS NOW
• NO MORE consuming content without taking action → WE'RE DOING THE WORK
• NO MORE learning without living → WE'RE APPLYING THE LESSONS
• About implementation. About becoming who you're meant to be. Not someday. NOW.

Nyomi's Childhood Dream:

• Wanted to change the world, make the world better
• Taking her assignment seriously
• At 400 episodes, it's time to elevate to another level
• Now we have to STOP TALKING about it and BE ABOUT IT

JUNE 23RD LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT:

• Something Nyomi's been working on and planning for YEARS
• Everything she's been building toward
• Culmination of her coaching work, self-love work, mission to help people transform from the inside out
• "It's going to change lives"
• More details coming soon
• It's BIG. It's POWERFUL. It's FINALLY TIME.

The Ripple Effect:

• Everyone who listens and does the work → changes
• When they change → affects everyone around them (partner, kids, friends, coworkers, community)
• One person healing creates a ripple
• That ripple spreads
• We're not just healing ourselves—we're creating a MOVEMENT
• We're changing the world one transformed life at a time

Invitation to Season 5:

• Show up. Do the work. Take action.
• DON'T JUST LISTEN to episodes → DO the exercises
• DON'T JUST HEAR stories → APPLY the lessons
• DON'T JUST CONSUME content → LIVE the transformation
• Are you ready? (Nyomi is!)

What to Expect in Season 5:

• More Mindset episodes (real-time stories + teaching)
• More Action episodes (practical work: exercises, tools, commitments)
• Occasional guest episodes (when someone's voice needs to be heard)
• Monthly themes (guide focus, create momentum)
• Deeper commitment to YOU (your healing, growth, transformation)

The Season 5 Vision:

• You wake up Monday morning → listen to Mindset episode → feel SEEN, UNDERSTOOD
• You sit down Wednesday with your journal → do Action exercises → ACTUALLY DO THE WORK (not just think about it, not just plan to, but TAKE THE STEPS)
• You share episodes with friends, family, community → watch the ripple effect spread
• You show up DIFFERENTLY in your life because you've been transformed by this work Connect with Nyomi:
  • Personal IG: @TheRealNyomiBanks 
  • Podcast IG: @TheSeasonofSelfLovePodcast
  • Ask Nyomi: @AskNyomi
  • Elevate Me Self Discovery: @ElevateMe999
  • Website: AskNyomi.com
  Tell Nyomi: Are you ready for Season 5?

 #SeasonOfSelfLove #Season5 #ReclaimedAndUnashamed #TheTimeIsNow #PodcastMilestone #Transformation #MoreIntentionalMoreAction #DoTheWork #June23rd #RippleEffect

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-season-of-self-love--6003379/support.

"Thank you for spending this time with me on The Season of Self Love. Remember, self-love isn't selfish – it's sacred. You are worthy of the love you so freely give to others.

If today's episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs this reminder. And don't forget to rate and review the show – it helps us reach more beautiful souls.

Connect with me on Instagram @TheRealNyomiBanks and @TheSeasonofSelfLovePodcast
visit theseasonofselflovecom for resources and our downloadable workbook.

Want to be a guest on The Season of Self Love? Send Nyomi Banks a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/171967138753618818df2d7f3

Until Monday – keep choosing YOU.
This is your girl, the goddess Nyomi Banks. Stay in your season."

Elevate Me: Self Discovery App
4-phase self-love journey: meditations, workbooks, coaching chat & journaling.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

What started three years ago as a dream has changed thousands of lives. 400 episodes, hundreds of guests, countless transformations. And today, today we celebrate. Today we honor. And today we step into a new season. Welcome to episode 400. Welcome to season five. And welcome to the next chapter. The time is now. Hello, my beautiful people, and welcome to the seasonless of love podcast. It's your girl guidance. Now I'm banks, and today is special. Today is special. Today is different. Today is episode 400. 400. 400 episodes. This is three years of showing up. Three years of sharing stories. Three years of healing. Three years of growing, and three years of doing the work together. And y'all, I have so much to share with you today. So much to celebrate. So much to announce and so much to invite you into. So let me welcome you properly with a new opening of the season of love. Welcome to the Season of September Podcast. I am your host, Naomi Bangsenna. I am so glad that you are here. As we continue to transform in life, so does this podcast. In season five, we're moving differently. More intentional. More action. Less learning. More doing. Less waiting and more living. This is a space where we don't just talk about self-love. We practice it. We don't just discuss transformation. We live it. Every episode is an invitation to do the work with me. Not just listen to me talk about it. This podcast is brought to you by Ask Naomi and Elevate Me Self-Discovery. We believe that loving me self-intentionally is the foundation of true transformation. So get ready. Because it's season five. We're doing the work. Now let's get started. Alright, my beautiful people. Alright. So you just heard the new opening. The new opening is the new energy. You know what? Because today, that's what today is all about. It's about a new evolution. It's about transformation. It's about growth. It's about growth. And before we talk about what's coming, let me talk about what's been, alright? But before we dive into this celebration, we're going to ground ourselves with a guided meditation. Because today is special. Today is episode 400. Today is where we honor what's been and step into what's coming. So wherever you are right now, wherever you are right now, all right, it's time to close your eyes if you can and get comfortable. Alright? So wherever you are right now, just close your eyes if you can and get comfortable. Plus place one hand on your heart and take a deep breath in. Now slowly release and say quietly to yourself. I celebrate how far I've come. Now inhale, exhale. I honor the transformation I've experienced. Inhale, exhale. Now I step into this new season with intention. Inhale, exhale. The time is not someday. The time is now. Inhale. Exhale. I am ready for season five. I am ready to do the work. Now one more breath in. Release. Now say, I am reclaimed. I am unashamed. I am ready. And when you are ready, gently open your eyes and let's celebrate. All right, my beautiful people. Oh, and if you are new here to the season of Cephalot podcast, it's something that we do every episode. And even though today is a very, very special episode, as we again are celebrating our 400 episode, a 400 episode. Do you know how many conversations that is? Do you know how many conversations that is? How many stories? How many tears? How many breakthroughs, how many revelations, how many transformations? 400. When I started this podcast three years ago, I didn't know if anyone would listen.

SPEAKER_01 6:22

I didn't know if it would matter.

SPEAKER_02 6:26

I didn't know if it would last. Remember, I told you I started this podcast, The Season of Self-Love, as just a segment for a month on Axe Naomi Bridge and the Gap Podcast. It was a gift for myself for my 51st birthday. You know, because I had talked about self-love over there at Axe Naomi Bridge and the Gap. And I knew the gift for myself in my new book. My new book of my 50s, and my new 50, my book of 50 life is to know about what truly self-love is. And I knew I was going on this self-love journey. And I didn't want to go on this journey alone. I knew this journey that I had been on that I knew it was a wonderful journey that I was going on, and I wanted to share it. And so what was supposed to be only four.

SPEAKER_01 7:26

Only four episodes in October. Daily.

SPEAKER_02 8:33

Because the language that I was speaking at first when I first did podcast, when I first did radio. When I think about it, I've been in radio now.

SPEAKER_01 8:44

Over the span of my career, I've been in radio for 17 years. I've been in media behind the mic for over 17 years.

SPEAKER_02 9:02

From Sirius Radio to Playboy Radio to having my own radio station, to having my own podcast for 17 years, over 17 years.

SPEAKER_01 9:16

But doing the season of self-love was probably the most scariest, the most nervous that I've ever been.

SPEAKER_02 9:26

It's because this is the space and the place that I had to be my most vulnerable, the most realist that I had to be.

SPEAKER_01 9:41

Because I knew this was the place that I had to truly be my nakedness at. But I'm here now three years later. Four hundred episodes later. But not only that. But you all are still here. But not only that, there are thousands of you that are here. But not only that, there are thousands of you have been changed by this work.

SPEAKER_02 10:29

There are thousands of you that have told me, that have emailed me, that have sent me messages that this podcast either has changed your life, that this podcast has actually helped you leave the situation, or that this podcast has given you permission to heal. And that is why I do this. That is why I am so happy that I have gifted myself this on my 51st birthday. When it was said to me at my altar to do this daily, and it wasn't for the numbers, it wasn't for the numbers, and it's not for the numbers, it's not for the down lows, but it's always been for the ripple effect, it's always been for the transformation, it's always been for the lives that are different because we showed up and we did this work together throughout the 400 episodes. The format has changed several different times, and as we continue to grow and transform, it's going to change as the seasons change because that is what we're supposed to do.

SPEAKER_01 12:14

But today, today, I want to celebrate you.

SPEAKER_02 12:19

I want to celebrate you because you're the reason that this podcast exists. You're the reason that I keep showing up. You're the reason why 400 episodes happened.

SPEAKER_01 12:38

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. But I also want to thank and I want to honor the guests.

SPEAKER_02 12:50

I want to honor the guests, the incredible voices who have graced the show, the healers, the teachers, the coaches, the therapists, the survivors, the leaders.

SPEAKER_01 13:03

And I especially, especially Dr. Will. Dr. Will Washington of Washington Wellness, who has been a cornerstone of this podcast, who I remember in the month of November, the beginning of December.

SPEAKER_02 13:24

I remember on a Monday morning sitting at my altar saying, if you want me to continue to do this daily, y'all gonna have to send me some help.

SPEAKER_01 13:37

Y'all gonna have to send me some help. Because I feel the work that that is required from me that there's going to be, I'm going to need help. In less than a few hours. But not only that, he has shown up again and again and brought his wisdom, he brought his compassion, and he brought his truth. So Dr. Will, my still friend, if you are listening, thank you. Thank you, thank you for your partnership. Thank you for your heart. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for writing with me. Thank you for those texts. Thank you. Thank you for showing up for this community.

SPEAKER_02 14:53

There was a lot of times in the beginning where we both were sitting on that couch. He's all the way in Ohio. I'm right here in Vegas. And we had the most momentum conversations on this show. Amazing.

SPEAKER_01 15:12

And he shares some of the most vulnerable things about himself on this platform. And I thank him for it.

SPEAKER_02 15:26

And to every guest who has shared their story, their expertise, their vulnerability on this platform, I thank you.

SPEAKER_01 15:35

Because you helped shape what this podcast has become. Now let me tell you what happened this past month. Because April changed everything for me. For the month of April, I did something different. I paused on having weekly guests.

SPEAKER_02 16:04

And instead, it was just me and you. It was Mindset Mondays. And we changed Wednesday Wednesdays to Action Wednesdays. Just for us. I remember when I when I thought about that, I remember sitting at my altar and I said, I think I need to change something in April.

SPEAKER_01 16:26

I said, because I believe we're doing a lot of writing. We're doing a lot of consuming, but I don't think we're doing a lot of action. And I remember thinking that, like I want to pause, and I remember me just feeling and hearing, yes, this is the time. But in doing that, it felt so transformative in these past few weeks. And not just for you, but for me.

SPEAKER_02 17:02

Even though I share all the time, but I got to share my stories in real time. And I know I do it all the time. But it was the green bathroom, the 24 hours awake, the production week, the migraine weekend, the Monday morning altar moments. Through those episodes, I watch transformation happen. I watch you take action. I watch you do the work. I watch you share your stories, your breakthroughs, and your commitments. And I realized something.

SPEAKER_01 17:32

This format, just you and me, this is the healing. So I did what I always do when I need clarity. I went to my altar. I sat there for a few mornings asking, listening, waiting. And the message was clear. It's time for a new season. It's time for a new format. It's time for a new mission. So here's what I'm announcing today. We are officially entering season five of the season of Cephal podcast. And season five looks different. From now on, this podcast will primarily be just you and me. Just you and I. No more weekly guests.

SPEAKER_02 18:41

No more interviews as a standard, as a standard format was. It'll be me sharing my stories, teaching the lessons, guiding you through the work, mindset episodes, action episodes, real-time healing, practical tools, and live teaching.

SPEAKER_01 19:07

Will we have occasional guests? Absolutely. Yes. And occasionally Dr. Will will drop in. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 19:19

When there's a specific topic that needs an expert voice, yes. When there's someone whose story needs to be shared, yes.

SPEAKER_01 19:31

But it won't be the norm. It will be intentional. And it'll be rare.

SPEAKER_02 19:41

Because what I've learned in all of this is that you don't need more information. You need transformation. You need someone to walk with you through the work. You need practical tools. You need permission.

SPEAKER_01 19:57

You need a guide. And that's what I'm here to be. I'm not a therapist. I'm a coach. I am a coach. I'm a leader.

SPEAKER_02 20:13

I'm like a basketball coach. I'm like a track coach. I'm like a dance coach. That's who I am. I'm about making accountability. I'm giving you the tools. I'm giving you that. That's what I'm giving you. And we work in it. Where we're doing the daily exercises to perfect that.

SPEAKER_01 20:37

And if anything else needs the structure of the med, I'm sending you to the med. I'm sending you to the therapist. But I'm taking my assignment seriously. What I said as a little girl is that I wanted to change the world, that I wanted to make the world better. And this is what I'm doing, and this is how I'm doing it. Now that I'm at 400, 400, it's time to elevate to another level.

SPEAKER_02 21:31

We have to stop talking about it. And now we have to be about it. Now I know some of you might be thinking, but Naomi, we love the guests. Why are you changing? Why are you changing? And I hear you. Because I love the guests too. I learned so much from my guest.

SPEAKER_01 21:54

Guests not only brings beautiful perspective, but they brought a different voice. A different language. The guests were teaching us. The guests they expand our understanding.

SPEAKER_02 22:11

But here's what I also realized: that sometimes the guests can dilute the directness. That sometimes the guests can add complexity when what you need is clarity. And sometimes you don't need another expert's opinion. You need someone to look you in your eye and say, I've been there. And here's how to do the work.

SPEAKER_01 22:38

Now let's do it together. So sometimes you need somebody to put their hand out and say, Give me your hand, let's go. And see, that was what April showed me when it was just us.

SPEAKER_02 22:57

When I was sharing in real time the struggles, the breakthroughs, when we were doing the exercises together, when transformation was happening.

SPEAKER_01 23:08

So I am leaning into that. I am trusting that. I am choosing that. Because in this season, season five is more intentional. It's more action. It is no more. I wait until the time is right.

SPEAKER_02 23:34

The time is now.

SPEAKER_01 23:45

There's no more learning without living. We're applying the lessons now. That's the mission of season five. That is the mission of season five.

SPEAKER_02 24:02

And speaking of the time being now, I still have something else that I wanted to share with you all. Next month, next month I'm launching something that I've been working on and planning for years.

SPEAKER_01 24:23

Years, y'all. And on June 23rd is finally happening.

SPEAKER_02 24:31

I can't give you all of the details yet, but I can tell you this that it's everything, everything that I've been building towards. It's the culmination of coaching work, of my coaching work, of my self-love work, of my mission to help just people transform from the inside out. And when I tell you that it's going to change lives, it is going to change lives. So I want you to mark your calendars. I want y'all to mark your calendars for June 23rd. And I'm just going to tell you more details coming soon, but just know that it's big, it's powerful, and it is finally time. And I'm so excited. I'm excited. And it's it's time. It is it's it's time. It is time. So let me bring it back because I'm so excited. So let me bring it back to why we are here. We're here because 400 episodes, three years, thousands of lives change. That's not just a number, my people. That is a ripple effect. That is a ripple effect. You see, everyone who listens to this podcast and does the work, they change. And when they change, they affect everyone around them: their partner, their kids, their friends, their coworkers, their community.

SPEAKER_01 26:01

One person healing creates the ripple. And that ripple spreads. That's what we're building here. That's what this podcast is. That's what this podcast is.

SPEAKER_02 26:18

That's what this season five is all about. We're not just healing ourselves, we're creating a movement. We're changing the world, warm, transform life at a time.

SPEAKER_01 26:32

And I am so honored to be a part of this with you. So here's my invitation to you.

SPEAKER_02 26:42

Join me in season five. Join me in season five and show up. Do the work. Take the action. Don't just listen to the episodes. Do the exercises. Don't just hear the stories, apply the lessons. Don't just consume the content. Live. Live the transformation. Because season five is about action. It's about implementation. It's about implementing it all. It's about becoming the person that you're meant to be. Not someday, but now.

SPEAKER_01 27:27

So my next question: are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready? Because I am. I am ready. So now what can you expect in season five?

SPEAKER_02 27:55

More mindset episodes where I share my stories and teach the lessons in real time. More action episodes where we do practical work together, exercise tools, commitments, occasional guest episodes when there's someone whose voice needs to be heard, monthly themes that guide our focus and create momentum and a deeper commitment to you, to your healing, to your growth, to your transformation. This is season five. This is the new era. This is what we're building.

SPEAKER_01 28:32

This is what we're building. So let me paint. Let me paint you a picture of what season five looks like, all right?

SPEAKER_02 28:44

So I want y'all to close your eyes. So it's you waking up on Monday morning listening to Mindset episode, right? And you feeling seen. You feeling understood. You feeling like, yes, that's exactly what I need to hear, right? It's you sitting down on Wednesday with your journal, doing the action Wednesday exercises and actually doing the work, not just thinking about it, not just planning to, but actually taking the steps. It's you sharing the episodes with your friends, with your family, with your community, and watching, watching the ripple effect spread. It's you showing up differently in your life because you've been transformed by this work.

SPEAKER_01 29:44

That's season five. That's what we're building. That's the vision. Can you see it? Can you see it? Alright.

SPEAKER_02 30:01

Alright, so before I close this out, I want to leave you with this affirmation. All right. I want you to repeat this with me out loud if you can. I am ready for season five. I am ready to do the work. I am ready to take action. I am ready to transform. I am ready to be the ripple effect. The time is not someday, the time is now. I am reclaimed.

SPEAKER_01 30:40

I am unashamed. I am ready. Beautiful. Beautiful.

SPEAKER_02 30:49

All right, my beautiful people. That's episode 400. That's the announcement. That's the invitation. So welcome to season five, my beautiful people. Thank you for these past three years. Thank you for the 400 episodes. Thank you for being the reason that this podcast exists. And get ready because June 23rd is coming. Season five is here, and the best is yet to come. Now, if this episode has resonated with you, I want you to share it, leave a review. Send me a message on Instagram at my personal, the real Naomi Banks. And that's spell Naomi, spell N-Y-O-M-I, D-A-N-K-S, or the Season of Stuff Love Podcast. And tell me, are you ready for season five? So until next time, this is your Gertie Goddess, Naomi Banks, reminding you to be good to one another in yourselves and always keep it sexy. Want to love yourself first so you can love others well. Have an amazing, amazing weekend, and I will see you on our very first mindset Monday in this new month. In this new season. Because this is a good one. Have a good one.

SPEAKER_00 32:13

The season of self love is brought to you by Ask Meomi and Elevate Me Self Discovery. Don't just listen. Do the work. Transform your life. For more, visit AskMeomiomi.com or follow us on Instagram at the Season of Self Love Podcast.