This week we’re joined by Mary Frances Phillips, a scholar-activist, public intellectual, and Associate Professor of African American Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her interdisciplinary research agenda focuses on race and gender in post-1945 social movements and the carceral state. Her scholarly interests include the Modern Black Freedom Struggle, Black Feminism, and Black Power Studies. Her first book Black Panther Woman chronicles the life and spiritual practices of E...
Jun 11, 2025•37 min•Ep. 415
In this deeply moving episode, we’re joined by Lisa Price, founder and CEO of Carol’s Daughter, for an intimate conversation about parenting, identity, and unconditional love. Lisa opens up about her journey as a mother to a transgender child, sharing the lessons she’s learned, the challenges she’s faced, and the transformative power of showing up with empathy and authenticity. Together, we explore how her experiences as a parent have shaped her both personally and professionally, and how she co...
Jun 04, 2025•49 min•Ep. 414
Gut health is one of those wellness terms we hear all the time, and honestly, it’s popular for a reason. Our gut isn’t just about digestion. Like the rest of our organs, it’s connected to the brain, which means it can both reflect and impact our mental well-being. The gut-brain connection shows up in everyday life. Feeling queasy before a big meeting? Or so stressed you don’t have an appetite? The two are always in constant conversation whether we realize it or not. So today, I’m excited to welc...
May 28, 2025•43 min•Ep. 413
Alyssa Ashley, founder of In Real Life Skin, was raised in a traditional West Indian household where self-care was embraced as a holistic lifestyle rather than a simple routine. From a young age, she incorporated natural ingredients like pomegranate extract, magnesium, and vitamin E into her diet and skincare, discovering their powerful benefits for both physical and emotional well-being. Alyssa identified a missing link between agriculture, beauty, and wellness. This insight led to the creation...
May 27, 2025•42 min
These days, we talk a lot about community, and for good reason. But it’s important to remember that spending time alone is just as important. So what does it actually look like to enjoy your own company? Alone time isn’t just about being by yourself, it’s about slowing down, reconnecting, and noticing what comes up when you’re not in constant dialogue with the world around you. And although for some it may be uncomfortable and a little anxiety-inducing, when done with intention it can be incredi...
May 21, 2025•19 min•Ep. 412
Today we’re joined by the brilliant and unapologetically authentic Dr. Donna Oriowo, licensed clinical social worker, certified sex and relationship therapist, and author of the bold new book, Drink Water & Mind Your Business . Known for her unique blend of cultural insight, therapeutic expertise, and straight-no-chaser delivery, Dr. Oriowo returns to the show to share the inspiration behind her new work and why it’s a necessary read for Black women navigating life, relationships, and radica...
May 14, 2025•46 min•Ep. 411
If you’re on #BookTok or any book-obsessed corner of the internet, especially amongst Black women, you know that there’s always a Kennedy Ryan book at the center of the conversation. Kennedy is no stranger to crafting characters that feel real and fully formed and her stories linger with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Her newest book, ‘Can't Get Enough,’ is no exception. The third and final book in her Skyland series explores shifts in family dynamics, deep love, and the kind of hea...
May 07, 2025•50 min•Ep. 410
Today we're joined by educator, writer, and bibliotherapist Emely Rumble, LCSW who's here to share the powerful story behind her debut book, Bibliotherapy in the Bronx . In this inspiring and deeply resonant conversation, Emely explains how the books we read can be a lifeline, a mirror, and a healing balm, especially for young people navigating complex emotional landscapes. From growing up in the Bronx to creating reading circles for healing in underserved schools, Emely has reimagined what ther...
Apr 30, 2025•52 min•Ep. 409
We’re back with another episode of TBGU and joined by another very special guest. Nia Symone is a powerhouse who knows all about pivoting with purpose. A former D1 athlete turned rising star in sports broadcasting, she is proof that your story doesn’t end when the game clock runs out, it evolves. In this episode, Nia opens up about the identity shift that came with stepping away from competitive sports, how she built a new lane in media, and the importance of showing up as her full, authentic se...
Apr 29, 2025•44 min
It can often feel like healing should look a certain way. Meditating, journaling, saying your affirmations—these are surely all factors of the healing process. But what happens when you know you need to dig deeper, but can’t figure out how? Sometimes healing isn’t as aesthetic or straightforward as it looks online. It’s messy. It’s nonlinear. It’s showing up to do the hard work when you’d rather keep it light. Today I'm excited to have Devi Brown joining us again. Devi is a Well-Being Educator, ...
Apr 23, 2025•56 min•Ep. 408
The NATAL podcast, executive-produced and hosted by Gabrielle Horton and Martina Abrahams Ilunga, is an audio docuseries centering Black parenthood and reproductive justice in America. Since launching the show, Gabrielle and Martina have brought us deeply personal stories, sharing the lived experiences of Black women, gender-expansive people, and families navigating the reproductive care space. Through that storytelling, they not only educate their audiences and raise awareness, but they also pu...
Apr 18, 2025•41 min
Driving and getting your license is generally considered a milestone achievement of adolescence and early adulthood but for many the prospect of driving can lead to anxiety. This was the case for our first guest today, Hey Fran Hey. Fran is a wellness advocate, influencer, and most famously co-host of The Friend Zone podcast. In a recent episode she opened up about her struggles with getting her license and learning how to drive as an adult. During our conversation Fran shares some of her experi...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 407
Morgan DeBaun is a visionary entrepreneur, strategist, and the powerhouse founder and CEO of Blavity, Inc., a digital media empire dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black millennials and equipping them with the tools to thrive. Over the past decade, she has redefined what it means to create economic equity, using storytelling, wealth-building, and advocacy to uplift underrepresented communities. Morgan continues to inspire as a mentor, investor, and speaker. And with her new book, Rewrite Yo...
Apr 09, 2025•47 min•Ep. 406
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, it became clear that film and television sets needed stronger regulations around intimate scenes. Since then, intimacy coordinators have been on the rise, ensuring that actors feel safe and respected while bringing vulnerable moments to life on screen. Thanks to their work, we can enjoy our favorite shows and movies without questioning whether boundaries were crossed behind the scenes. Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Dr. Tiff Henry, an expert in sex and me...
Apr 02, 2025•55 min•Ep. 405
With over 3.5 million Black-owned businesses in America, we continue to see the landscape of Black entrepreneurship grow and expand. And as a Black entrepreneur myself, I know firsthand the importance of seeking out support in order to take your business to the next level. That’s why today, I am so happy to have Jewel Burks Solomon on the podcast. She is the managing partner at Collab Capital, an early-stage venture capital fund she launched to close the funding gap for Black entrepreneurs. Prio...
Mar 26, 2025•55 min•Ep. 404
Kyrstin Johnson is a talented gymnast at Temple University, known for her dedication, resilience, and passion for the sport. After transferring to Temple, she quickly became a standout athlete, consistently pushing the boundaries of her performance while balancing the physical and mental demands of being a college gymnast. Beyond her impressive athletic abilities, Kyrstin is deeply committed to mental health advocacy, recognizing the importance of managing anxiety and prioritizing well-being as ...
Mar 25, 2025•38 min
As we close out our 400th episode celebration, we wanted to shift focus to how media representation has impacted Black women over the years and how changes in the industry inform how we will continue to see ourselves in the future. Joining me this week are The Cut ’s Beauty Editor, Asia Ware, and founder of Black Girls in Media, Tasha McCaskiel. With their separate but interconnected experience as journalist and media strategist we unpack how one begins a career in journalism, how the state of t...
Mar 19, 2025•45 min•Ep. 403
It goes without saying that “the 92%” understood the assignment during the 2024 election, but what are we to make of it when we still end up exactly where we are today? Struggling to make sense of our place in the world with leaders and legislation increasingly being utilized against us. You can’t deny the tables have turned but how can you resist? Joining me fresh off the release of her new book, Flip The Tables: The Everyday Disruptor's Guide to Finding Courage and Making Change , is Alencia J...
Mar 12, 2025•57 min•Ep. 402
How is Black girlhood defined these days? As we see fewer depictions of Black girls in the media, limited spaces for them to shop, and continuing adultification bias, it seems more difficult than ever to answer this question. Joining me to discuss the ways Black girlhood is defined is Dr. Lauren Mims, an assistant professor at NYU's Steinhardt School. Her research focuses on how sociocultural stressors impact Black children's development, and identifying strengths that can buffer the negative ef...
Mar 05, 2025•50 min•Ep. 401
10 years and 399 episodes have led us to this very special moment in TBG history— our 400th episode! Growing this podcast has been so transformative for myself, my team, and the community we have built along the way. With that in mind, today’s episode is centered around the resting work we must remember to integrate as we grow. Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts is an internationally celebrated Peloton yoga and meditation teacher and scholar, highly regarded as a leader in a new generation of yogis who...
Feb 26, 2025•41 min•Ep. 400
Lynae Vanee is a dynamic activist, entertainer, and social media star who has made waves in the entertainment industry while staying true to her roots as a passionate advocate for social justice. A proud Spelman College alumna, Lynae’s journey to success has been shaped by her commitment to amplifying Black voices and advocating for change. Known for her authenticity and powerful platform, she navigates the challenges of being a public figure with grace, maintaining a balance between sharing her...
Feb 25, 2025•41 min
Relationships and freedom—can they truly coexist? This episode from our archives revisits a powerful discussion sparked by a question from our community: How do you navigate the idea of losing some of your freedom in a relationship? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Maria Dominguez, LMFT, also known as Dr. D. Together, we unpack what it means to navigate freedom in relationships, how to define what freedom looks like for you, and the key conversations to have while dating that can provide clari...
Feb 19, 2025•33 min•Ep. 399
We have been fortunate to have such amazing guests on the show, which makes it all the more exciting when we get to have them return! Today, I’m rejoined by my dear friend, Dr. LaKeysha Hallmon, founder of The Village Market, to discuss some of the themes of her new book, No One Is Self-Made . From community care in entrepreneurship to the response and responsibility of small business owners in the wake of corporations repealing DEI, we get into the idea of building out by first building within....
Feb 12, 2025•43 min•Ep. 398
It’s barely been a month and One of Them Days is already on track to be one of the best comedies of the year! Today, I’m joined by a few members of the team; podcast producers Tyree Rush and Ellice Ellis and Social Media Manager Alyssa Green, to unpack some of the best moments in this instant cult classic. We also chatted about the implications that the success of this film has for the industry at large, especially as it pertains to Black women lead comedies. So sit back and enjoy the first team...
Feb 07, 2025•44 min
I’m excited to bring you a conversation today with a very special guest, someone who is known for her bold voice, her authenticity, and her commitment to empowering others.You may know her from her work as a media personality, podcaster, and all-around cultural commentator. Joining me today is the one and only, Scottie Beam.Scottie is not only a powerhouse on the mic, but she’s also a trailblazer for a younger generation of women in media, especially when it comes to destigmatizing the conversat...
Feb 05, 2025•42 min•Ep. 397
We’ve had a beautiful month of January Jumpstart episodes. We chatted with Yolo Akili about building community, with Attorney Aimee Griffin about cementing our legacy through estate planning, and much more. But what better way to close out the series than by hearing directly from you, our community? Today, we’re diving into two thoughtful questions, and I’m here to share insights that may connect with many of you. The first is about cleanliness—what happens when you didn’t grow up in a tidy hous...
Jan 31, 2025•15 min
Whether it’s a juice cleanse, miracle pill, detox tea, or weight-loss hack, it seems like every week a new food and wellness trend pops up with the promise of helping us achieve maximum results. For this final episode of this year's January Jumpstart series, we’re exploring a healthy approach to nutrition and unpacking popular wellness trends with expert guidance. Dr. Whitney Trotter and Angela Goens are registered dieticians and co-leaders of the BIPOC Eating Disorders conference. During our co...
Jan 29, 2025•55 min•Ep. 396
Starting the year with a number of executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as anti-affirmative action legislation impacting schools around the country, there are so many questions around how and where to get quality education for Black students. To help us get a better understanding of what solutions are out there, Aziah Siid and Quintessa Williams talk about a number of issues they have reported on for Word In Black ’s education beat. Where to Find Word In Black Webs...
Jan 28, 2025•34 min
2025 is already proving to be a year where community will be more important than ever before. But many may still be wondering, how do I find those I can trust and how do I maintain these relationships? Helping us to answer these questions is writer, activist, and founder of BEAM, the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective, Yolo Akili. For over 20 years, Yolo has led and designed mental and emotional health workshops, experiences, support groups, and training. During our conversation, we un...
Jan 22, 2025•53 min•Ep. 395
Whether it’s a soft beat or a Met Gala glamour moment, putting on makeup can inspire confidence and unleash the inner baddie within many of us. Welcome back to another installment of our January Jumpstart series – designed to make 2025 one of your best years yet. You’ll want to grab a notepad, a mirror, and maybe a little setting spray as we explore how beginners can kickstart their makeup journey — while not forgetting that true beauty lies within. Joining me for this conversation is the artist...
Jan 15, 2025•43 min•Ep. 394
