Today, we’re talking to Shayla Varnado. Shayla is a serial entrepreneur, entertainer, side hustle queen and the founder of Black Girls Wine. Black Girls Wine, affectionately known as BGW, is a lifestyle brand that celebrates Black girl magic by curating exclusive experiences for women who love wine. With over 11 chapters in 10+ cities, the brand is growing and the world is taking notice. A decade of creating businesses has led Shayla to her passion for teaching women how to increase their income...
Oct 29, 2019•48 min•Ep. 288
Today’s episode is a special one - it is the one year anniversary of Balanced Black Girl Podcast! To celebrate the first year of the show, we are diving into our favorite question: what does being a Balanced Black Girl mean to you? Host Les is sharing what being a Balanced Black Girl means to her, and we are revisiting some of the most powerful responses to this question from previous episodes of the show, including: Episode 11: Creating Your Own Lane with Falesha Johnson Episode 17: Buying Blac...
Oct 15, 2019•23 min•Ep. 230
Today’s guest is Jasmine RaShae, founder of Soulful Flow Yoga. Jasmine is a native of Baton Rouge, LA who currently resides in Seattle. She is a yogi, storyteller and a brand alchemist. Her platform is used to authentically connect with her following and cultivate a sense of community. She achieves this through a three-prong approach, the creation and practice of Soulful Flow Yoga, custom curated content on her lifestyle blog, “Do It For the Story" and brand storytelling for an array of clients,...
Oct 01, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 280
Today’s guest is Adrienne Thomas. Adrienne is an unapologetically Black educator who hails from the city of Chicago. She is a passionate social advocate with a focus on Black liberation. While Adrienne is also a powerlifter and musician, her passion lies within classroom education, where her goal is to create inclusive curriculum that truly supports the lived experiences of our diverse students and children. In this episode, we talk about… How the US school curriculum can be more inclusive. Why ...
Sep 24, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 276
Today, we’re talking to Kimjoy Long, esthetician at Spruce Apothecary in Seattle. Kimjoy specializes in sugar hair removal and offers high-quality holistic skincare and green beauty services. Through her training to become an esthetician, she realized many beauty and skincare treatments are not designed with the needs of women of color in mind. She strives to provide products and services that are safe for melanated skin. Kimjoy is a mother of three who is passionate about helping women, especia...
Sep 17, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 250
Today’s guest is Davia Roberts. As a certified yoga teacher and licensed mental health therapist, Davia uses her background to make mental health resources accessible. She is the voice and brains behind the AFFIRM podcast, a mental health and wellness podcast for women of color and founder of the wellness platform, Redefine Enough. Now based in Washington, DC, Davia travels the country bringing mental health and wellness education to millennials and corporate professionals. Her mental health wor...
Sep 10, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 281
Today, we’re talking to Klarke Foreman. Klarke is an energetic, God-fearing teen advocate, and businesswoman. The Houston-native is Founder and CEO of Kween to Queen, a mentoring organization for teen girls. Additionally, she is the Chief Operating Officer of Pink Productions, a platform dedicated to providing opportunities for women worldwide. She is also the co-founder of Foundation First, a digital marketing production company that helps entrepreneurs build a solid business foundation. She’s ...
Aug 27, 2019•55 min•Ep. 254
Today’s guest is Minda Harts, author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table, which is out today. Minda is a well connected, sought after speaker and thought-leader, frequently speaking on topics of Advancing Women of Color, Leadership, Diversity, and Entrepreneurship. In 2018, Minda was named as one of the 25 Emerging Innovators by American Express. Minda is an assistant professor of public service of NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service a...
Aug 20, 2019•50 min•Ep. 275
In today’s summer rewind episode, we’re revisiting this conversation with Dr. Kristian Henderson of BLK+GRN. Dr. Kristian Henderson is a professor of public health, a natural lifestyle enthusiast, and the founder of BLK+GRN, an all-natural marketplace by all Black artisans. BLK+GRN curates products that are sold in categories like skincare, home, bath and body to meet the needs of wellness seekers who want to buy Black and live green. In the U.S. black women buy nearly twice as many body care an...
Aug 13, 2019•46 min•Ep. 236
Time to take it back to an earlier interview! In this rewind episode, we’re sharing the first-ever interview on Balanced Black Girl featuring Chrissy King. Chrissy King is a Milwaukee-based ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, lifestyle coach, fitness blogger, and truth-teller. While on her own fitness journey, Chrissy was introduced to strength training and powerlifting, which helped her build confidence and inner strength. Chrissy shows her clients that fat loss and weight management don’t have to...
Aug 06, 2019•57 min•Ep. 263
In this episode, we’re talking to Monique Melton, host of the Shine Brighter Together Podcast. Monique is an anti-racism educator, published author, and international speaker. She is also the founder of Shine Brighter Together, which is a community dedicated to healthy relationships & diverse unity. She travels the world speaking at conferences and events on topics related to anti-racism, personal growth, diversity, and relationships. She’s been published in magazines, featured in blogs and ...
Jul 23, 2019•54 min•Ep. 267
Today’s guest is Kristin Iris. Kristin is a Film Producer, Speaker, and Coach who helps Black creatives cultivate liberation, joy, and power through deep personal work and Black creative expression. Her work centers on helping Black folx dismantle their internalized oppressions and stand in their power she works in particular on healing “The Oreo Complex” or the idea that an individual isn’t Black enough. As a creative she shares powerful messages through her writing (currently working on a nove...
Jul 16, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 240
Today, we’re talking about sexual health, effective sexual education for Black and brown students, and how to create our own individual definitions of what it means to be sex-positive with Michelle Hope. Michelle is a dedicated Sexologist, educator and activist with a Master’s degree in Human Development and extensive post graduate training in sexuality. As a veteran speaker, Michelle has over 15 years of experience delivering impactful informative lectures and trainings across the nation. She b...
Jul 09, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 278
Today, we’re talking to Moji Igun. Moji is the founder of Blue Daisi Consulting, a sustainability consulting company that helps small businesses reduce waste and implement sustainable practices. After pursuing a career in engineering and realizing it wasn’t the right fit, Moji channeled her passion for sustainability to create meaningful work for herself. Climate change is creating a state of crisis that impacts us all. Moji is sharing her expertise in low-waste living and shares practical advic...
Jul 02, 2019•40 min•Ep. 272
Today’s episode is a special one - it is from our first LIVE recording of Balanced Black Girl Podcast. We hosted our first live podcast at The Collective in Seattle and had an open, honest conversation about the importance of community, and how we can build more authentic connections and relationships. Get to know our amazing guests. Michaela Ayers is the founder of Nourish , a social impact organization that drives cultural change through human connection and experiential learning. Through the ...
Jun 25, 2019•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 259
In today’s episode, Les is flying solo answering all of your burning questions about fitness, wellness, entrepreneurship, mental health, and more. The tea is hot today. In this episode, we talk about… Current favorite workouts and why. Tips for navigating post-grad life, and finding your purpose. Staying organized when it comes to wellness, fitness, and life. Future Balanced Black Girl events and meet-ups. ...and more SUPPORT THE SHOW - Become a Balanced Black Girl patron on Patreon to unlock Fe...
Jun 18, 2019•36 min•Ep. 231
Today’s guest is Koya Webb. Koya is an internationally recognized yoga teacher, personal trainer, holistic health and wellness coach, author, motivational speaker, and professional fitness model revolutionizing the holistic living landscape. She is the creator of Get Loved Up, a platform that encourages people to “love yourself, love others, and love the planet” by practicing environmental sustainability, plant-based nutrition, and mindful movement. Koya is gearing up for the release of her late...
Jun 04, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 262
In today’s Feel Good Friday episode, we’re talking about incorporating rest and recovery into your fitness routine. While moving your body is important, in order to make progress, the magic is in the rest. If you don’t adequately recover from your workouts, your body isn’t able to repair and become stronger. This episode breaks down what signs to look for to help you decide when to recover, and how to determine when it’s time to take your fitness routine down a notch. RESOURCES: To hear future F...
May 31, 2019•15 min•Ep. 243
Today’s episode is a solo one, with host Lestraundra doing a recap of the April/May 2019 Balanced Black Girl Book Club pick, Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower. Released in 2018, Eloquent Rage is authored by Brittney Cooper, Associate Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies and Africana Studies at Rutgers University and co-founder of the Crunk Feminist Collective. The book is considered a Black feminist’s manifesto, and challenges the idea of Black women’s anger being a det...
May 28, 2019•38 min•Ep. 230
In today’s Feel Good Friday episode, we are talking about getting back into a workout groove after taking time off. Whether you took a step back from fitness because of an injury, lack of time, or you just weren’t feeling it, you can definitely get back at it. Here are five tips to keep in mind (including a mindset tip that is essential). These tips were inspired by my own fitness journey. After taking the first few months of the year off from consistently exercising, I recently got back in the ...
May 24, 2019•7 min•Ep. 224
Kayla A. Greaves is an award-winning journalist who currently works at Bustle as the fashion & beauty features editor. She was previously a lifestyle editor at The Huffington Post, and her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Teen Vogue, ELLE, Blavity, FASHION magazine, Upscale magazine, S/magazine and more. Using an intersectional and inclusive approach, her pieces focus mainly on women's issues, culture, beauty, and fashion. Kayla has interviewed the likes of Academy award-winning actress Lupita...
May 21, 2019•47 min•Ep. 244
Today’s Feel Good Friday episode is about a topic nearly everyone has struggled with at some point: making friends as an adult. When you’re a kid, making friends is all about proximity, but as you get older it gets a little more complicated. After you finish school and are no longer surrounded by people your same age, or from your same area, how’s a Balanced Black Girl supposed to make friends? Let’s discuss some tips to help you meet an amazing squad. If you like this episode, please leave a ra...
May 17, 2019•12 min•Ep. 247
Today, we’re talking to Harmony Tamaalevea, the founder of The Literacy Lounge. The Literacy Lounge is a monthly subscription box that highlights Black literature while promoting reading as a means to a less stressful life. Getting diagnosed with Lupus at age 18 shaped her outlook on life, and helped her shift her perspective on all things health and wellness. This episode will inspire you to see self-care in a whole new way. In this episode, we talk about… The importance of promoting and celebr...
May 14, 2019•39 min•Ep. 236
In this Feel Good Friday episode, we’re talking about a hot topic: side hustles. The internet is constantly telling us we all need to start side hustles and seek entrepreneurship - but do we really? Entrepreneurship isn’t a glamorous path to take, especially while you are working another job to pay the bills. If you’re on the fence about side hustling, or have a side hustle and want to take it to the next level, this episode is for you. In this episode, we talk about… How to know if side hustlin...
May 10, 2019•17 min•Ep. 223
Today, we’re talking to Mary Vin Rose, host, producer, and actor based in New York City. Mary is best known for her limited talk cable series Healthy Living in The Bronx, where she highlights people and organizations that are helping Bronx residents live a healthier life. Mary is a self-love and mental health advocate who is dedicated to promoting wellness through art and media. We had an inspiring conversation about the power of promoting healthy living in marginalized communities, practicing s...
May 07, 2019•52 min•Ep. 273
In this week’s Feel Good Friday episode, we’re talking about letting go of things that no longer serve you. For many of us, the main thing holding us back is our mindset, and the limiting beliefs we repeat to ourselves over and over. Limiting beliefs are thoughts or stories we repeat to ourselves that constrain or hold us back in some way. Today we’re breaking down what five limiting beliefs you can let go of to live your best life. RESOURCES: Listen to Feel Good Friday #12: You Are Enough Visit...
May 03, 2019•18 min•Ep. 265
Conversations around mental health are always a top request, and this episode delivers. Today, we’re talking to Alicia Tetteh. Alicia is a mental health therapist practicing in Charlotte who sincerely believes in the power of change. She completed her education at Virginia Commonwealth and Howard University. She is a new mom of twins and loves learning how to best nurture them. Alicia owns Building Endurance, where her focus is decreasing the stigma around mental health and recently created a me...
Apr 30, 2019•42 min•Ep. 260
In today’s Feel Good Friday episode, we are talking about the importance of alone time. Spending time alone can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, having time to yourself can be one of the best things you can do for your health. Whether you have a packed calendar and never have a moment to yourself, you intentionally fill your time to avoid spending time alone, or if you’re in a season of having a lot of alone time and you’re ready for a change, this episode has useful insigh...
Apr 26, 2019•9 min•Ep. 229
Today, we’re talking to Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones, Registered Dietitians, Certified Diabetes Educators, and the creators of Food Heaven Made Easy. Both women transitioned into careers in nutrition after working in other fields, and launched Food Heaven Made Easy in 2011 to share their passion for nutrition and healthy eating with others. With their podcast, nutrition programs, and recipes, Wendy and Jess want to show others that healthy eating can be delicious, easy, and cost-effective witho...
Apr 23, 2019•54 min•Ep. 274
This week, Beyoncé’s Netflix documentary Homecoming debuted, and we have to talk about it. The film was inspiration level 100, and provided some amazing takeaways. Homecoming gave us the boost we needed to reinvigorate our goals, and provided the energy to carry us through the rest of 2019. RESOURCES: Balanced Black Girl Website Follow Balanced Black Girl Podcast on Instagram @balancedblackgirlpodcast Follow Les on Instagram @balancedles Like Balanced Black Girl on Facebook Follow Balanced Black...
Apr 19, 2019•17 min•Ep. 255
