The Write Movement Presents:

The Hardest Love: Choosing Yourself First

By Empress Addi | The Empress Addi Podcast, Episode 7

Choosing yourself first is one of the hardest, yet most necessary, lessons in love. In my latest episode of The Empress Addi Podcast, I sat down with Yvens Germain — entrepreneur, community builder, and Founder of the Minority Business Expo — to talk about what it really means to honor self-worth, rebuild after heartbreak, and embrace authentic love.

Self-Awareness in Love and Life

Yvens reflected on turning 40 and the wisdom that comes with looking back at each decade of growth. He spoke about the importance of knowing who you are before you step into any partnership. Without self-awareness, relationships easily slip into sacrifice and settling — patterns many of us inherited from cultural and familial expectations.

Black Love, Legacy, and Economics

Our conversation expanded beyond romance into the power of Black love as legacy. Yvens emphasized that intentional relationships include economic alignment: building together, supporting each other, and circulating resources within our community. Black love is both personal and collective — it’s about nurturing intimacy while also uplifting our people.

Starting Over and Honoring Non-Negotiables

We discussed the challenge of starting over after hurt, divorce, or trauma. Yvens shared how prioritizing his children shaped his choices, while I highlighted that saying “no” to the wrong one is often saying “yes” to the right one. We both agreed that healthy love requires boundaries, clarity, and non-negotiables rooted in self-respect.

Breaking Cultural and Societal Cycles

Our conversation also touched on the weight of history — from the crack epidemic’s impact on Black men to cultural differences in household expectations. We acknowledged the importance of rewriting these cycles by modeling mutual respect, care, and support in modern relationships.

Soul Nugget

As I closed the episode, I offered this reflection:
“Your ancestors smile every time you refuse to shrink for love.”

Listen and Connect

🎧 Listen to The Empress Addi Podcast, Episode 7: The Hardest Love: Choosing Yourself First on YouTube, Spotify, or Amazon Music.

Connect with Yvens Germain:

Grab my book: What’s Next For You: Living in Purpose – A Practical Guide to Aligning Your Passion With Prosperity (Available now on Amazon).

✨ If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs the reminder that the hardest love — choosing yourself first — is also the most liberating.

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