Let’s talk about protecting your peace — and whether that’s really what you’re doing… or if you’re just getting your lick back in silence. In this minisode, I’m breaking down the Room to Breathe Support Language™ — the kind of support that shows up as space, quiet, and the ability to step away without guilt. But I’m also naming the moments when we call it “protecting our peace,” and it’s really a low-key way of making somebody else feel the pain we didn’t say out loud. I even share a moment with...
May 30, 2025•7 min
I’m just gonna say it — I get annoyed when I see Black women using the phrase “women of color” when I know they mean Black women. In this episode, I’m talking about why that bothers me, where I think it comes from, and what it’s actually costing us to keep softening, shrinking, or diluting our language — especially in spaces that are supposed to be built for us. I share a recent moment that made me want to reflect out loud. Not to be messy, but because I think it’s time we talk about what happen...
May 27, 2025•6 min
They told us love was supposed to be everything. That if somebody loves you, that’s all you need. But how many times have you felt loved… and still felt completely alone? In this episode, I’m talking about that gap — the one between what people say and what they actually do. Because the truth is, love is not enough when it doesn’t come with support. And I get it. It’s hard to admit that out loud. Especially when you know they care. Especially when they say the right things. But if you’re still c...
May 13, 2025•9 min
Inspired by the new Netflix series Forever , this Mother’s Day episode is a soft but honest conversation about what happens when fear leads the way in parenting. When love is present, but support… isn’t. This isn’t a recap. This is a reflection. Because a lot of us were raised on protection that looked like pressure. On expectations that felt like love, but left little room to breathe. And now, many of us are trying to re-parent ourselves while still holding space for the mamas who did the best ...
May 11, 2025•7 min
Today we’re talking about support yourself during the hard seasons—and what it looks like when you have to be your own safe place. Some seasons are heavy. Some days, getting out of bed feels like a miracle. Some days, breathing through the next hour is the biggest victory you’ll claim. In this episode, I’m sharing what support looks like when you’re in the thick of a thing — when there’s no map, no quick fix, and no easy way to name the weight you’re carrying. We’re sitting with the real and the...
Apr 29, 2025
Today we’re talking about receiving support as a Black woman—and why it still feels hard, even when it’s soft and real. What happens when someone shows up for you with tenderness and care… and your first instinct is to flinch? What do you do when support is being offered—but your body doesn’t know how to let it in? This episode started with a comment from my daughter… And what should’ve felt like joy, pride, even gratitude—turned into hesitation. Doubt. A quiet refusal to receive. So today, we’r...
Apr 15, 2025•15 min
Some days the weight is real, and you’re too tired to carry it, explain it, or make it sound better than it is. For the days when the tears come outta nowhere and your body says, “we can’t keep doing this”… This is a quiet reminder that you don’t owe anyone a breakdown of why you need rest. You don’t have to clean up your exhaustion or justify your pause. You get to be tired. You get to slow down. You get to be held without performing for it. If you’ve been feeling stretched, overextended, or qu...
Apr 10, 2025•6 min
Let’s talk about emotional exhaustion as a Black woman—and what it really means to be held. What if being held didn’t require you to fall apart first? What if it was something you could reach for before you hit the breaking point? This episode was recorded at five o’clock in the morning… no mic, no script, no prep—just me, a heavy heart, and a whole lot of truth. Because sometimes the softest, most honest thing you can do is show up exactly as you are, while you’re still sitting in the weight of...
Apr 08, 2025•16 min
What if strength didn’t always have to come after the storm? In this episode of Shades of Strong , we’re unpacking what it means to embrace both joy and struggle—without letting one cancel out the other. Because too often as Black women, are taught that joy is something we earn after the hard part is over. That it’s the reward, not the right. But what if we flipped the script? In this episode of Shades of Strong, we’re unpacking what it means to embrace both joy and struggle as a Black woman—wit...
Apr 01, 2025•10 min
What does real support in relationships for Black women even look like? Because we know love without support is a thing—and it’s exhausting. This episode is a deep dive into what happens when you start asking for more than love… when you start asking for love that actually holds you — love that actually supports you. If you’ve ever found yourself feeling unseen or unsupported in a relationship, this episode is for you. Because support in relationships for Black women can’t be an afterthought. I’...
Mar 27, 2025•16 min
Honoring your capacity is about choosing ease of exhaustion and creating space breathe, reset, and resst. What happens when the strong one needs a minute? This short episode is a reminder that honoring your capacity matters—especially for strong Black women who are always doing the most. If you’ve been pushing through, this one’s for you. This short episode is a reminder that honoring your capacity matters—especially for strong Black women who are always doing the most. I’m talking about what it...
Mar 25, 2025•4 min
Getting support as a Black woman isn’t always as simple as just asking for it. Because let’s be real—how many times have people tried to “support” you, but instead of feeling lighter, you just felt drained, unseen, or misunderstood? That’s because support isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are specific types of support Black women need, but most of us aren’t getting them in the way that actually makes a difference. In this episode of Shades of Strong, we’re breaking down the five types of support Bl...
Feb 25, 2025•12 min
Setting the tone for the week ahead isn’t about rigid schedules or pushing yourself to do more—it’s about easing into the energy you want to carry with you. Before the world starts demanding things from you, take a moment to breathe, regroup, and move with intention. What You’ll Get in This Episode: Why setting the tone for the week ahead shifts how you experience it How flow can be more powerful than force A simple way to step into the new week feeling more grounded Takeaway: You don’t have to ...
Feb 24, 2025•5 min
Sometimes, even when we know exactly how we best receive support, it’s just not available in the way we need it. And when that happens, it can feel heavy—especially when we don’t know what to do with all that we’re carrying. That’s where I’ve been these last few days. And today, I just want to share a little bit of what I’m learning about holding space for myself when support feels out of reach. If you’ve been struggling to find the support you need, I see you. I feel you. And I hope this episod...
Feb 18, 2025•4 min
Getting Support as a Black Woman often feels like a struggle. You’re managing everything, showing up for everyone, and doing it all with a strength that people celebrate—but what happens when the support you receive still leaves you feeling unseen and unsupported? In this episode of Shades of Strong, we’re breaking down what it means to move beyond surface-level help and start getting the kind of support that truly holds you. From understanding the difference between help and support to naming w...
Feb 11, 2025•13 min
Letting go isn’t always easy—especially when you’ve poured so much of yourself into something. But gripping tightly to an outcome that’s already shifting away will only leave you stuck, frustrated, and drained. This week, we’re releasing the need to control every outcome. No more forcing. No more fighting for what’s already walking away. Instead, we’re making peace with the unfolding and trusting that what’s meant for us will always find us. What You’ll Get in This Episode: A few reasons letting...
Feb 09, 2025
Black women are often celebrated for their strength, their ability to handle everything, and the way they show up for everyone else. But what happens when you’re left feeling unseen as a Black woman—recognized for what you do, but never for who you are? In this episode of Shades of Strong, we’re unpacking the emotional toll of being unseen and exploring what it means to reclaim your visibility. From the exhaustion of always “being on” to the importance of recognizing yourself first, this episode...
Feb 04, 2025•14 min
Releasing the pressure to be more means letting go of the idea that you have to earn your worth. The constant striving to do more, be more, or fix yourself only leaves you feeling drained and disconnected. That weight was never yours to carry. It’s time to put down the pressure of chasing, proving, or fixing. Instead, let’s take a moment to regroup and connect with what’s already here. Wholeness isn’t something you achieve - it’s something you remember. What You’ll Get in This Episode: Why relea...
Feb 02, 2025
Reclaiming support for Black women isn’t just about breaking free from society’s expectations—it’s about creating space for what you truly need in your life, relationships, and daily experiences. In this episode of Shades of Strong, we’re diving into the top two Support Languages™ that Black women are craving right now: Room to Breathe and Mindful Care. These results from our Support Languages™ quiz are more than just numbers—they’re reflections of the weight we’ve been carrying for far too long...
Jan 28, 2025•13 min
Reclaiming joy as a Black woman is about remembering that you’re not too grown to laugh, play, and feel light again. When’s the last time you laughed so hard you couldn’t breathe? Or did something just for the joy of it - no agenda, no productivity, just pure fun? Sis, if it’s been a minute, this episode is for you. Life has a way of keeping us busy, stressed, and always on the grind, but that doesn’t mean it has to steal your joy. In this short and sweet Soulful Sunday episode, we’re calling in...
Jan 26, 2025
Emotional support for Black women hits differently when you let go of the "I got it" mindset. Black women carry so much—juggling careers, families, and life while often telling themselves, “I’ve got it.” But what happens when we hold onto the “I can handle it all” mindset for too long? In this week’s episode of the Shades of Strong Podcast, we unpack the emotional toll of doing it all alone and explore how making space for support can transform the way we live, love, and show up in the world. In...
Jan 21, 2025•13 min
Black women friendships are powerful, but sometimes the support we give and receive doesn’t fully meet our needs, leaving us feeling unseen and unheard. In this week’s episode of the Shades of Strong Podcast, we explore why supportive friendships matter, and what to do when the support isn't giving what it's supposed to give. Black women deserve friendships that truly see them. Inspired by a powerful scene from Being Mary Jane, we explore: The emotional labor many of us carry alone The gaps in m...
Jan 14, 2025•13 min
Support for Black women isn’t just a concept—it’s a necessity, especially for those of us who feel like the weight of the world is always on our shoulders. So, let’s talk about the kind of support for Black women that uplifts —the kind you actually need, not the kind that leaves you feeling drained, unseen, and unheard. In this episode of Shades of Strong, we’re diving deep into why the help you’ve been getting isn’t landing and how you can start asking for support that truly serves you. As Blac...
Jan 07, 2025•13 min
Are you tired of carrying the emotional weight of being the “strong one”? Sis, you’re not alone. Shades of Strong is back, and we’re reimagining what strength really looks like for hyper-independent Black women. In this new season, I’m sharing how this space will help you let go of the overwhelm, stop struggling in silence, and finally find strength that feels good — without doing it all by yourself. Starting January 7th, 2025, join me every week for real, raw conversations about healing, bounda...
Dec 30, 2024•3 min
My strong is slowing down and enjoying the simplicity of life. As summer gradually winds down and fall begins to approach, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about how we can reflect, recharge, and reconnect with what truly matters. The transition from the busy, energetic days of summer to the calmer, cooler days of fall offers a natural pause, inviting us to slow down and tune into the rhythms of nature. This gradual shift in seasons serves as a gentle reminder to take a step back and asse...
Aug 06, 2024•8 min
My strong is embracing self-compassion amidst self-criticism. Welcome to Day 22 of our “me-first” journey! Yesterday, we talked about finding hope in broken places. Today, we’re diving into the impact of holding ourselves in contempt and how it affects our journey to a “me-first” life. This step is crucial for understanding how self-criticism can hinder our well-being and reinforce hyper-independence. Holding yourself in contempt is more than just an internal struggle; it shapes how you live and...
Jul 26, 2024•16 min
My strong is finding light in the midst of darkness. Welcome to Day 21 of our “me-first” journey! Yesterday, we talked about knowing when to walk away. Today, we’re focusing on finding hope in broken places. This step is about more than just seeing the silver lining—it’s about discovering how hope can be a guiding light even in the most challenging times. We’ve all encountered moments when life feels scattered and overwhelming. During these times, hope can seem like a distant memory. But finding...
Jul 25, 2024•12 min
My strong is know when to let of what no longer serves me. Welcome to Day 20 of our "me-first" journey! Yesterday, we dove into focusing on what we can control, and today, we're tackling another crucial topic: knowing when to walk away.This step is about more than just moving on—it's about making space for what truly nurtures you. We’ve all faced moments when staying in a job or relationship, despite its draining impact, seems like the only option. But knowing when to walk away from these situat...
Jul 24, 2024•11 min
My strong is focusing on things I can control. Welcome to Day 19 of our "me-first" journey! Yesterday, we chatted about overcoming fear, and today, we're exploring a closely related challenge—focusing on things you can control. This discussion is vital as we continue to evolve away from old, restrictive habits and toward a life where we handle uncertainties with grace and ease. Focusing on what you can control is crucial to avoiding regression into old habits that no longer serve us. Change is c...
Jul 23, 2024•14 min
My strong is overcoming fear to live a truly empowered life. Welcome to Day 18 of our "me-first" journey! Yesterday we talked about embracing change. Today, we’re discussing its close cousin, overcoming the fear of the unknown. Just like change, fear of the unknown often bubbles up when we start altering long-held patterns. It’s crucial to confront and manage this fear to prevent slipping back into those familiar but limiting behaviors. Overcoming fear is not just about suppressing our anxieties...
Jul 22, 2024•13 min
