Therapy for Black Girls

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 conversation, we discuss popular food and wellness trends, including the rise of GLP-1s like Ozempic. They also explore the differences between disordered and intuitive eating, offer strategies for deciding which food trends are worth following and share insights on meaningful conversations you can have with a dietitian, a nutritionist, or with yourself about nutrition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Website Instagram Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram TikTok Interested in being a part of a future TBG U episode or suggesting a topic for us to discuss, send us a note HERE. Order a copy of Sisterhood Heals for you and your girls HERE. Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 unpack some of the ways that we can approach mental health practices and principles as community members to better show up for one another and curate the sort of support systems that we need for ourselves. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Vote for Therapy for Black Girls in the Best Lifestyle/Self-Help Podcast category of the NAACP Image Awards! Where to Find Yolo Website Instagram BEAM Website Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession. Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, creative director, and makeup maestro, Sir John. Sir John is the visionary behind iconic looks for legends like Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, and Serena Williams and is also a Creative Director, Business Executive, and TV Host. During our conversation, we discussed his journey of becoming a makeup mogul, shares some of his favorite makeup hacks (including a few Beyoncé-approved tips), and emphasizes the importance of developing a personal relationship with makeup that’s undeterred by trends or societal pressures. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Where to Find Sir John Instagram Website Naked Beauty Podcast Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession. Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever heard the term “estate planning” and thought it was something only for the old, wealthy, or those with children, think again. In today’s January Jumpstart podcast episode — designed to help you make 2025 one of your best years yet — we’ll be exploring how the process of organizing your will, as well as encouraging family members to do so, can be the key to unlocking a legacy of generational wealth for yourself and your loved ones. Joining me for this conversation is the founder of the Association of Black Estate Planning Professionals, Attorney Aimee Griffin. Aimee is the principal attorney of Life & Legacy Counselors, an estate and business succession firm committed to creating, protecting, and transferring wealth. She is committed to strategic community economic development for Black people and serves as a corporate counselor, professor, and community educator. In today's conversation, we break down the steps of estate planning, highlight common mistakes to avoid during the process, and explore how estate planning can serve as a powerful tool for addressing the racial wealth gap. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Where to Find Aimee Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession. Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025 and to year 3 of our January Jumpstart series. Kicking off this month’s lineup of transformative conversations is a guest that I know several of you will know and recognize: Les Alfred, host of the Balanced Black Girl podcast. With expertise as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and certified yoga instructor, Les uses her platform to support her community in creating nourishing habits that help them create the necessary space to live their best lives. In today’s discussion, we approached a topic that I know many of you are thinking through any time we enter a new year — how can I “glow-up” into my best self? What habits might we consider adopting in order to facilitate a glow-up? Along the glow-up journey, how do I handle situations in which I’m forced to step out of my comfort zone? And lastly, what changes might I have to make in my life to fully actualize my desired glow-up? We answer those questions and more in today’s episode. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Where to Find Les Instagram YouTube Balanced Black Girl Podcast Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession. Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Year often brings a whirlwind of pressure to reinvent ourselves, leading us to set unrealistic goals. In this final podcast episode of the year, I’m challenging you to consider what it might look like to spend these final days of 2024 reflecting, reframing, and being present rather than rushing ahead. Please welcome meditation teacher Dora Kamau as our guest for this week. She is here to discuss how we might welcome in the new year by practicing mindfulness. With a background in Psychology and Psychiatric nursing, Dora leads workshops, events, and retreats to hold space for individuals to explore different expressions of presence. You may recognize Dora’s voice, as she is also a meditation teacher at Headspace, a leading mindfulness and meditation app. Together, Dora and I unpacked some of the common anxieties that come up at the dawn of a new year, explored what it looks like to shift from making New Year’s resolutions to simply setting intentions, and gave tips for how you can incorporate mindfulness activities like journaling, meditating, and affirmation-setting into our daily lives as we enter 2025. And as a special end-of-the-year treat, we’ve included a 10-minute meditation from Dora to support you in easing any lingering worries as we head into 2025. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Headspace Radio Headspace + Dear Headspace Wherever You Go, There You Are by John Kabat-Zinn When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron Joyfully Just by Kamilah Majied Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Where to Find Dora Instagram Website TikTok Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession. Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With so much happening this year, from the presidential election to rap beef, we could all use an explanation for why things went the way they did. More importantly, what’s next as we look to 2025? Helping us to answer that question is returning guest Mecca Woods. Mecca is a New York City-based astrologer and author who works to help others create a life they truly want using their natural-born gifts. Her writing and Astro-guidance have appeared in places like Bustle, Essence, and TLC. During our conversation we go back to 2023 to see how many of Mecca’s predictions about 2024 were accurate, discuss how astrology can be used to guide the success of businesses and companies, and lastly, share some of the major astrological events and transits that will influence our lives in 2025. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Where to Find Mecca Website Instagram Books Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession. Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we continue to explore the experiences of Black women from several religious backgrounds, this week I’m in dialogue with Dr. Pamela Ayo Yetunde, who shares her journey of becoming a practicing Buddhist. Dr. Yetunde is a pastoral counselor and the author of several books, including "Casting Indra's Net" and the forthcoming "Dearly Beloved: Prince, Spirituality, and This Thing Called Life." During our conversation today, we explore some of the basic principles of Buddhism, how Buddhism as a philosophy can inform our practice of other religions, and the significance of mindfulness activities such as yoga and meditation within Buddhism. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Where to Find Dr. Yetunde Website LinkedIn Instagram Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession. Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are lots of stereotypes that come with being a member of Gen Z, but few are truer than the idea of us having a poor attention span, being obsessed with TikTok, and hating to consume media if it’s not in a short-form package. On her way to solve this crisis of media illiteracy that has consumed our generation is self-proclaimed “media literate hottie,” and today’s guest, Kelsey Russell. Kelsey is an entrepreneur, influencer, and podcaster with a goal of using print media as the vehicle for promoting better emotional regulation when interacting with news. This mantra comes to life on her TikTok page of nearly 100K followers, where she dynamically reads different newspapers and magazines to her audience. In our conversation today, Kelsey and I discussed how to peep which news outlets are credible and which ones aren’t, why it’s important to continue to engage with print media as opposed to all digital, and why it may not be wise to get all your news from TikTok. Where to Find Kelsey Instagram TikTok HOMEWORK Locate the nearest library to your house and consider registering for a library card! They’re free and a great way to begin re-engaging with physical media. Discover what’s important to you when it comes to what makes a good source. Consider making a list of these characteristics and using them to field any outlet you read moving forward. The next time a friend or family member posts some shady news, brainstorm how you might guide them into uplifting something more credible. Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram TikTok Interested in being a part of a future TBG U episode or suggesting a topic for us to discuss, send us a note HERE. Order a copy of Sisterhood Heals for you and your girls HERE. Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Producer: Ellice Ellis Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor TBG University Host: Jayna Ellis See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether it’s an essay on last night’s viral moment, a deep dive into a favorite celebrity’s career, or a hot take that sets social media on fire, cultural critique is something that helps us analyze, question, and understand the world around us. But what makes a good piece of criticism? And why do we sometimes embrace it—or resist it—so strongly? Joining us this week to talk intimately about the state of cultural criticism is journalist, writer, and care worker, J Wortham. You may know J as a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, where they co-hosted the podcast ‘Still Processing — a weekly show about pop culture, television, films, books, music, and the internet. J is also a sound healer, reiki practitioner, and herbalist oriented towards healing justice and liberation. During our conversation, we discuss the role of the critic in our society, how to distinguish between a care-centered vs. a bad-faith critique, and the ways in which platforms like Twitter and TikTok have made criticism so accessible in both good and bad ways. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Where to Find J Substack Website Instagram Twitter Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession. Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media has the ability to make running a business look glamorous, but the reality of being an entrepreneur is often a lot more complex. And as Black women, the pressure is always on to be excellent, magical, and do everything ourselves, often leading to an imbalance between our businesses and our mental health. Thus week we're diving into a discussion of entrepreneurship and mental health with returning podcast guest, Melissa Ifill. Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving clients in New York, Georgia, and Florida. During our conversation, we explored the ways in which our identities and traumas have the potential to show up in our businesses, how ideas of “Black excellence” can leave us stuck in a cycle of burnout, and learning how to ask and receive help from your community. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Where to Find Melissa Website Instagram Facebook TikTok Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession. Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With its no-bars-held look into the insidious world of investment banking, many of us fell in love with the HBO MAX series INDUSTRY, and more specifically, its non-traditional lead character, Harper Stern. Harper’s brash and unapologetic maneuvering through the gritty political world set her up as a breakout character for the series and an interesting and unexpected deviation from the strong Black woman trope. Joining me this week for a deeper dive into Harper's character is Organizational Psychologist, Nchopia Nwokoma, who speaks to how relationships with organizations and communities impact how individuals show up in the workplace. During our conversation, we unpack Harper’s journey across three seasons, reflecting on what her victories and challenges at PeerPoint might teach us about our own workplaces. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Where to Find Nchopia LinkedIn Instagram Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession. Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future is here, and it looks like deepfakes of real people saying fake things, chatbots claiming to have human-level consciousness, and evil robots ready to take everyone’s jobs. Artificial Intelligence, while only just recently becoming widespread and accessible, is transforming our world in ways that make understanding it more crucial than ever. Joining me for today’s important conversation on the ethical implications of AI is Dr. Joy Buolamwini. She is the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, an award-winning researcher, and poet of code. Dr. Joy is the author of the national best-selling book, Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What is Human in a World of Machines. During our conversation, we examined some of the basic definitions, players, and concerns associated with AI, how biases are transferred in the creation of AI and then reflected in its application, and lastly, the specific challenges AI poses particularly for communities of color. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Where to Find Dr. Buolamwini Support the Algorithmic Justice League Read ‘Unmasking AI: My Mission To Protect What Is Human In A World Of Machines” Instagram Website Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession. Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.