In this episode of Calm Your Grits, host Joei Allen introduces her Permission Slip Project — a movement born from her own pageantry journey where she learned to stop chasing external validation and start trusting herself. She shares how years of coaching, self-doubt, and trying to be "more" led to a pivotal moment of freedom: showing up fully as herself and placing higher than ever. Equal parts raw and relatable, this episode is Joei's invitation for women everywhere to give themselves permission to be exactly who they are — messy, worthy, and enough.

In this episode of 'Calm Your Grits,' Joei Allen chats with Aftan Garrett, a passionate maternal health advocate and pageant queen. Aftan shares her personal experiences with infertility, loss, and severe postpartum preeclampsia, which spurred her to advocate for maternal health and women empowerment. She discusses her journey in the Mrs. North Carolina, South Carolina America pageant, the camaraderie among contestants, and her ongoing initiatives including the Promise Walk and creating the Moms are worthy initiatives. The conversation in Mothers, Advocates, and Queens: Interview with Aftan Garrett Part 2, highlights the resilience and inspiring stories of women in the pageant world, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy and finding one’s voice.

Mothers, Advocates, and Queens: Interview with Aftan Garrett Part 1

In this episode of the Calm Your Grits podcast, host Joei Allen welcomes Aftan Garrett, a nurse practitioner, mother, and advocate for women's rights and maternal mental health. Aftan shares her personal journey to motherhood, discussing her struggles with infertility, a heartbreaking loss, and her eventual success with IVF treatment. She highlights what it was like dealing with severe postpartum preeclampsia and the critical role of community support. The episode concludes with a preview of the next part, where Aftan will delve into her advocacy work and experiences in pageant life.

Follow Aftan on Instagram at: aftang_np & momsareworthy

HAMU:

Jillian Marie Beauty & photo - link below

https://www.instagram.com/jillianmariebeauty16?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Disclaimer*** Jillian did the hair, makeup & headshots used for the cover art NOT for the video podcast!!! She’s amazing! Check her out!!!