Shades of Strong® | Supporting Black Women in Redefining Strength, Rewriting Narratives & Celebrating Authenticity

My strong is priotizing my mental health. Today, we're joined by Aubri McKoy for a thoughtful conversation about navigating the intersection of mental health and the Black female experience. As Black women, we understand the unique challenges and pressures we face when it comes to mental health. Get a glimpse into how we navigate societal expectations and find ways to prioritize our well-being. We each share a life experience that has negatively impacted our mental and, emotional well-being, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by Black women in navigating societal pressures. We discuss the importance of seeking support and prioritizing self-care, challenging the stigma surrounding mental health in our community. Episode Highlights: Impactful Experiences: We share intimate stories of our experiences and challenges as Black women, reflecting on key moments that have influenced our mental health and overall well-being. Prioritizing Mental Health: Discussion on the importance of prioritizing mental health and self-care, sharing strategies and practices for maintaining mental well-being in the face of societal pressures and expectations. Reflection on Societal Expectations: Hear how we navigate these pressures and discover practical strategies for prioritizing our well-being. Join us as we discuss impactful experiences, prioritizing mental health, and reflecting on societal expectations related to Mental health and the Black female experience, and visit our website for simialr topics that effect our menttal health such as Breaking Free from the Ride or Die Mentality. Aubri McKoy is a #JerseyGirl with a passion for service, community, and connection. She is an innovative thinker and strategic problem-solver, always seeking to add value to any room she enters. Her personality is the perfect demonstration of the power of and, as she has eclectic taste and is truly undefined. She is both sassy and classy; planned and spontaneous; critical and loving. Aubri is the author of Anytime Talks, an online blog that is charged with “seeking healing through reflection.” Anytime Talks deals with a range of topics from relationships (platonic and other), coming of age, grief, triumph, and so much more. In 2024, Aubri aspires to take Anytime Talks from paper to podcast, and what better place to start than with Shades of Strong? Connect with Aubri: Instagram: @a.u.b_ Links mentioned: www.dfreefoundation.org/academy/ Stay Connected with All Things Shades of Strong and the Black Female Experience: Register for the "Uncpaed" Workshop Connect on Social Media: We’re @shadesofstrong across all platforms | Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE.

My strong is vulnerability and acceptance Hey, sis! Shirl and Natty here! Today, we're joined by Traci Neal for an impactful conversation about navigating life on the spectrum. Traci shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD and Autism at the age of thirty-four and how she's leaning into vulnerability to support her in embracing the labels, highlighting the journey of self-acceptance and growth that will certainly resonate with Black women on a similar journey. As Black women, we know that societal norms often pressure us to suppress our emotions and mold ourselves to fit certain molds. However, Traci's story reminds us that true strength lies in embracing our authentic selves, diagnoses and all, a message that resonates deeply with Black women who often face pressure to conform to societal norms. Episode Highlights: Discovering Diagnoses: Traci shares her journey of navigating a recent diagnosis of ADHD and Autism at the age of 34, revealing the freedom and new perspectives that came with understanding herself better. Changing Views on Femininity and Vulnerability:How the diagnoses reshaped her perception of femininity and vulnerability, leading to a deeper understanding and acceptance of herself. Unmasking and Embracing the Labels: Traci shares how she embraces her diagnoses, finding empowerment and a sense of identity in the labels that she once feared. Blossoming Confidence: We discuss how her confidence has blossomed since receiving her diagnoses, highlighting the positive impact of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Life Before and After: Traci offers insights into her life before the diagnoses and the profound shifts she has noticed since, revealing a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Join us as we celebrate Traci's journey and reflect on the power of self-discovery and acceptance. This episode is a testament to the power of self-acceptance and growth, highlighting the importance of embracing our true selves. Traci Neal is a neurodivergent spoken word artist listed on Poets & Writers residing in Columbia, SC. She is featured in The New York Times, Mahogany (Hallmark) writing community, The Elevation Review, 1619 Speaks Anthology in 2023 (Sims Library of Poetry), and many other media publications. In 2023, she was a Pushcart Prize Nominee for The Elevation Review, longlisted for the African Diaspora Award with Kinsman Quarterly, the second-place poetry winner of the National Career Development Association, and the second-place poetry winner of the South Carolina Career Development Association. Neal uses her poetry platform to help bring awareness to non-profits in need worldwide. Connect with Traci Neal: Website: www.tracinealspeakerpoet.com Register for the "Uncaped" Virtual Workshop: Join us for a transformative experience where we'll redefine strength, let go of hyper-independence, and step into our true power. Reserve your spot today. Join SOS Sista Circle Waitlist: Ready to break free from "I gotta do it all by myself" and embrace sistahood and community? Get on the waitlist for the Shades of Strong (SOS) Sista Circle and be the first to know when enrollment starts. Join a community of Black women redefining strength and support. This is a chance for you to connect with like-minded women on a journey of balance and fulfillment. Your journey to sisterhood starts here! Join the Community: Join the Shades of Strong Email List, our community of like-minded Black women empowering themselves and each other. Stay in the loop on new episodes and access to insightful discussions, resources, and practical tips for Black women, addressing their unique challenges and celebrating their resilience. Connect on Social Media: Follow Shades of Strong on social media for content exploring the Black female experience and stay updated on the latest episodes and community events. We’re @shadesofstrong across all platforms.

My strong is confronting the mother wound with resilience and grace. Heeeeyyy!!! Shirl and Natty here! Today, we're joined by Alyson Brown for a deep dive into a topic that deeply resonates with a lot of Black women, the mother wound. Alyson walks us through what it is, how it impacts us, and strategies for healing. We know that navigating the complexities of our relationships with our mothers can be challenging; and society often portrays Black women as strong and invincible, but we’re here to acknowledge that we also carry wounds that need healing. Episode Highlights: Defining the Mother Wound: We discuss what the mother wound is and how it manifests in our lives, shaping our identities and relationships. Navigating and Healing: Our guest, Alyson Brown, shares her personal journey of navigating and healing from the mother wound, offering insights and wisdom. Perpetuating the Strong Black Woman Trope: We explore how the mother wound contributes to the strong Black woman stereotype, affecting our mental health and well-being. Correlation with Religion: Alyson shines a light on how religious upbringing can influence our relationships with our mothers and our views on strength and vulnerability. Join us for this heartfelt conversation as we acknowledge the complexities of the mother wound and explore pathways to healing. This episode is a reminder that it’s okay to confront our vulnerabilities and seek healing, ultimately embracing our strength as Black women. Alyson Brown is the creator of Healing From A Mother Wound, and the host of Shades of Brown Podcast. She is a mother wound healing coach who advocates for emotional wellness & healthy family relationships. She’s been featured on the Woman Evolve podcast and honored by Impact Magazine. Alyson is quite intentional about being a safe space for anyone she interacts with, and her podcast and mother wound healing coaching are extensions of that – safe spaces where people are seen, heard, and valued. Connect with Alyson Brown: Website: www.everythingalyb.com IG/FB/YouTube: @everythingalyb TikTok: @motherwoundhealer Register for the "Uncaped" Virtual Workshop: Join us for a transformative experience where we'll redefine strength, let go of hyper-independence, and step into our true power. Reserve your spot today. Join SOS Sista Circle Waitlist: Ready to break free from "I gotta do it all by myself" and embrace sistahood and community? Get on the waitlist for the Shades of Strong (SOS) Sista Circle and be the first to know when enrollment starts. Join a community of Black women redefining strength and support. This is a chance for you to connect with like-minded women on a journey of balance and fulfillment. Your journey to sisterhood starts here! Join the Community: Join the Shades of Strong Email List, our community of like-minded Black women empowering themselves and each other. Stay in the loop on new episodes and access to insightful discussions, resources, and practical tips for Black women, addressing their unique challenges and celebrating their resilience. Connect on Social Media: Follow Shades of Strong on social media for content exploring the Black female experience and stay updated on the latest episodes and community events. We’re @shadesofstrong across all platforms. Shop our Self-care Line in the Etsy shop where self-care is an art of nurturing the heart and soul. Our tools—mood trackers, journals, self-nurturing games, and coloring pages—are crafted to elevate your inner journey, inviting you to love your inner self as much as your outer self. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE.

My strong is acknowledging my mistakes and holding myself accountable. Hey there, it's Shirl and Natty! In this episode, we dive deep into a topic that hits close to home: acknowledging our vulnerabilities and mistakes, and the importance of taking accountability, especially within our Black female community. We know how challenging it can be to navigate the pressures and expectations placed on us as Black women. Society often tells us that we have to be strong all the time, but we're here to say that it's okay to show our vulnerabilities and own up to our mistakes. Episode Highlights: Embracing Imperfection: Let's talk about why it's okay to not get it right every time and why strength is found in our ability to learn from our mistakes. The Power of Acknowledgment: We share personal stories and insights on how acknowledging our mistakes can lead to personal growth and empowerment. Breaking Toxic Patterns: Explore how accountability can help us break free from harmful cycles, paving the way for self-compassion and forgiveness. Join us in this candid conversation as we explore what it means to be accountable, not just to others, but to ourselves. This episode is a reminder that our vulnerabilities are not weaknesses but a testament to our strength as Black women Register for the "Uncaped" Virtual Workshop: Join us for a transformative experience where we'll redefine strength, let go of hyper-independence, and step into our true power. Reserve your spot today. Join the Community: Join the Shades of Strong Email List, our community of like-minded Black women empowering themselves and each other. Stay in the loop on new episodes and access to insightful discussions, resources, and practical tips for Black women, addressing their unique challenges and celebrating their resilience. Connect on Social Media: Follow Shades of Strong on social media for content exploring the Black female experience and stay updated on the latest episodes and community events. We’re @shadesofstrong across all platforms. Shop our Self-care Line in the Etsy shop where self-care is an art of nurturing the heart and soul. Our tools—mood trackers, journals, self-nurturing games, and coloring pages—are crafted to elevate your inner journey, inviting you to love your inner self as much as your outer self. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE.

My strong is my belief that Black women are sick of riding and dying We're thrilled to welcome award-winning author and advocate Shanita Hubbard to our show for an enlightening discussion. Shanita shares her unique perspective on the “Ride or Die” narrative in hip-hop and its profound impact on Black women, drawing from personal experiences and a deep understanding of the cultural evolution of these stereotypes. Our conversation delves into how the image of the “ride-or-die” woman has evolved into the “strong Black woman” archetype, and the societal effects of these portrayals. Shanita also sheds light on the intersectionality of issues faced by Black women, including intimate-partner violence, highlighting the compounding challenges this brings. We explore the vital role of hip-hop in correcting harmful narratives, and Shanita passionately discusses her vision for a more empowering narrative for Black women. We also touch on the importance of allies within the hip-hop community in amplifying Black women’s voices and challenging damaging stereotypes. Key Points: Impact on Black Women: We discuss how stereotypes affect the daily lives of Black women. Intersectionality: Shanita shares insights on various challenges faced by Black women, including intimate-partner violence and police violence. Responsibility of Hip-Hop: We emphasize the need for hip-hop to reshape harmful narratives. Internalization of “Ride or Die” Mentality: We explore how Black women can internalize and perpetuate stereotypes. Ride or Die in Different Contexts: Our conversation extends to different contexts where the “ride or die” mentality manifests. Path to Change: Shanita outlines her vision for a more empowering narrative and the role of allies. Join us, along with Shanita, as we unravel the complexities of the “ride or die” narrative and its impact on Black women. About Shanita: Shanita Hubbard is the author of the award-winning book Ride-Or Die: A Feminist Manifesto For The Well-Being Of Black Women. She is a former therapist, Soros Justice Fellow, and the mother of an amazing Black girl. Connect with Shanita on Instagram and X formerly Twitter. Click HERE to donate "Ride or Die: A Feminist Manifesto For the Well-Being of Black Women" to the RIDE BEYOND PRISON PROGRAM. Register for the "Uncaped" Workshop: Join us for a transformative experience where we'll redefine strength, let go of hyper-independence, and step into our true power. Reserve your spot today. Join the Community: Join the Shades of Strong Email List, our community of like-minded Black women empowering themselves and each other. Stay in the loop on new episodes and access to insightful discussions, resources, and practical tips for Black women, addressing their unique challenges and celebrating their resilience. Connect on Social Media: Follow Shades of Strong on social media for content exploring the Black female experience and stay updated on the latest episodes and community events. We’re @shadesofstrong across all platforms. Shop our Self-care Line in the Etsy shop where self-care is an art of nurturing the heart and soul. Our tools—mood trackers, journals, self-nurturing games, and coloring pages—are crafted to elevate your inner journey, inviting you to love your inner self as much as your outer self. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE.

My strong is humanizing myself. In a world that often demands Black women to be strong at all costs, there is a growing recognition of the need to humanize ourselves — to acknowledge our vulnerabilities, set boundaries, and prioritize self-care. In this episode of Shades of Strong Podcast, hosts Shirley Hubbard and Natalyn Bradshaw delve into the importance of fostering a discipline of humanizing ourselves and dismantling the strong Black woman trope within ourselves. They use the body scan method to explore how they dehumanize themselves in various parts of their bodies. They candidly share personal experiences and delve into the emotional and mental burdens they carry, discussing how they can reclaim their humanity and redefine what it means to be strong. Key Points: Understanding Dehumanization: Shirley and Natty use the body scan technique to thoroughly explore how they unintentionally dehumanize themselves, scanning each part of their bodies, including the mind, throat, heart, gut, and spiritual side. They share personal experiences and reflections on the impact of societal pressures, past experiences, and internalized beliefs. Strategies for Humanization: The hosts explore various strategies and practices for humanizing themselves, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and self-compassion. They discuss the power of mindfulness, and self-care in combating dehumanizing thoughts and behaviors. Impact of Societal Expectations: Shirley and Natty reflect on the impact of societal expectations and stereotypes on their self-perception. They discuss how societal norms can create unrealistic standards of strength and resilience, leading to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. The Journey of Reclaiming Humanity: Throughout the episode, the hosts share their personal journeys of reclaiming their humanity. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of this process, offering insights and advice for listeners on their own journey towards self-acceptance and empowerment. Humanizing ourselves is a continual journey involving embracing imperfections, celebrating strengths, and fostering community support. By shedding light on their own struggles with dehumanization, Shirl and Natty hope to inspire others to embark on their own journey of reclaiming humanity. Join the Community: Join the Shades of Strong Email List, our community of like-minded Black women empowering themselves and each other. Stay in the loop on new episodes and access to insightful discussions, resources, and practical tips for Black women, addressing their unique challenges and celebrating their resilience. Connect on Social Media: Follow Shades of Strong on social media for content exploring the Black female experience and stay updated on the latest episodes and community events. We’re @shadesofstrong across all platforms. Shop our Self-care Line in the Etsy shop where self-care is an art of nurturing the heart and soul. Our tools—mood trackers, journals, self-nurturing games, and coloring pages—are crafted to elevate your inner journey, inviting you to love your inner self as much as your outer self. Next Episode Teaser: Tune in next time for an insightful conversation on “Breaking Free from the Ride or Die Mentality,” where we’ll explore how to navigate toxic patterns and prioritize self-respect in every area of our lives. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE.

My strong is empowering Black women. Get ready for a powerful new season of Shades of Strong! Hosted by Shirley Hubbard and Natalyn Bradshaw, this podcast empowers Black women to embrace their authentic selves and challenge societal stereotypes. Launching on April 9th, this season features compelling conversations with inspiring guests. From discussing the dangers of overextending without reciprocity to unmasking imposter syndrome, the topics are diverse and impactful. They'll also delve into the importance of healing from the mother and father wounds, and strategies for overcoming workplace bullying. Join our email list for weekly encouragement, special offers, and a free 90-day digital energy and mood tracker. This tool complements the podcast's themes, helping listeners identify triggers and patterns for better self-care. Connect with Shades of Strong on social media for daily inspiration and community discussions. Follow @shadesofstrong on all platforms. Stay tuned for the new season, premiering April 9th! In the meantime, catch up on past episodes and share the podcast with your friends. Join the Community: Join the Shades of Strong Email List, our community of like-minded Black women empowering themselves and each other. Stay in the loop on new episodes and access to insightful discussions, resources, and practical tips for Black women, addressing their unique challenges and celebrating their resilience. Connect on Social Media: Follow Shades of Strong on social media for content exploring the Black female experience and stay updated on the latest episodes and community events. We’re @shadesofstrong across all platforms. Shop our Self-care Line in the Etsy shop where self-care is an art of nurturing the heart and soul. Our tools—mood trackers, journals, self-nurturing games, and coloring pages—are crafted to elevate your inner journey, inviting you to love your inner self as much as your outer self. Next Episode Teaser: Tune in next time for an insightful conversation on “Fostering a Practice of Humanizing Ourselves,” using the body scan method, we'll explore how we unintentionally dehumanize ourselves and discuss strategies on how to cultivate self-compassion and authenticity. Don't miss it. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE.

My strong is soft, feminine, and receptive. Long gone are the days when Black women are overextending and back bending all in the name of being strong, because contrary to poplular belief, Black women get to be be soft and strong. Tap in to this week's encore episode for a conversation with Ivory Benneet on how she's one of many Black women embracing being soft and strong. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Join the My Strong Is global campaign by being a guest on the podcast. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.

My strong is creating an emotioanlly safe space. One of the most harmful things about having emotional walls is missing out on great experiences with those you love and care about. We build these walls with the hope of keeping harmful things out, not realizing that walls not only shut others out, they shut you in. Tap in to this week's encore episode for a conversation on how you can protect yourself without building emotional walls. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Join the My Strong Is global campaign by being a guest on the podcast. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.

My strong is "resolute and standing firmly in my truth" Angela Bassett. They tell us to take risks – take lots of them. They tell us not to settle for mediocrity – fight for the life we want. So, we do! We fight with everything in us – not being easily intimidated. Not letting people walk all over us. We boldly speak up against unfairness and injustices in our personal and business lives. We have the audacity to sit at the table where we've rightfully earned our seats. We fought! We pushed! We refused to be silenced! And…now we've been labeled the ANGRY BLACK WOMAN. Every Black woman in America has been called ANGRY at least once in her lifetime, but Black women ain't out here angry for nothing. Tap in to this week's encore episode as we shine a light on how the angry Black woman label originated, how it's been used for centuries to silence us and why it's okay to be justifiably angry without fear of being judged. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Join the My Strong Is global campaign by being a guest on the podcast. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.

My strong is not strong all the time and I’m okay with that. I cry. I feel. I heal. Letting go of the past and healing from trauma is challenging in and of itself, but when the trauma is a result of unhealthy parental relationships, it becomes even more challenging. In today's episode I chatted it up with Angela Roulette as she shared her journey of freeing herself from the emotional burdens that were keeping her stuck and preventing her from experiencing a life of peace and happiness. Holding on to traumas of the past can be detrimental to your mental and emotinal well-being as evident in Angela's story, but there is hope if you can find the courage to do something about it. Tap in to this week's encore episode to hear Angela's journey to healing from the pain and trauma of unhealthy paternal relationships and how that trauma spilled over into her romantic relationships. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Join the My Strong Is global campaign by being a guest on the podcast. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.

My strong is knowing what I bring to the table. Unlearning people pleasing behavior is challenging, not only because it's a part of the Black female's social fabric, but also because as Black women often existing in predominantly white spaces, pleasing others first is [undoubtedly] a survival mechanism. Hello code switching and shape shifting! The only way to unlearn what's been embedded in you is to love yourself the way you love others and to know with certainty what you're worth and what you bring to the table in whatever room you're in. Tap in to this week's encore episode to hear how we're taking steps everyday to say eff you to the expectations of whiteness and yes to pleasing ourselves even when it makes others uncomfortable. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Join the My Strong Is global campaign by being a guest on the podcast. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.

My strong is honoring the sacredness of friendships. Have you ever found yourself in the middle of friendhsip or sisterhood that suddenly became toxic? Are you able to accept responsibility for the role you played in it? You don't have to answer that (outloud), but the truth is we all play a role (in one way or another) in the toxcity we sometimes find ourselves - even if that role is simply accepting the behavior. Tap in to this week's encore episode as we share our personal experiences of friendships gone wrong, how we recovered from them and how you can avoid the cattiness, betrayal, and judgment that sometimes creeps into our circles by simply being the friend you want to experience. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Join the My Strong Is global campaign by being a guest on the podcast. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.

My strong is healing in a way that feels right for me. We gotta stop telling people that they can choose to be happy when they're in the thick of a traumatic event because sometimes CHOOSING happiness is not possible in that moment. Though well intentioned, our words can be harmful when we're not sensitive to the emotional needs of those we're trying to support. Tap in to this week's encore episode as we talk about how important it is to hold space for others while allowing them to time to heal from tramatic events in a way that feels right for them. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Join the My Strong Is global campaign by being a guest on the podcast. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.

My strong is NOT sociaiizing Black girls to be strong. We're on summer break, but we didn't want to leave you with no SOS, so for the next several weeks we'll be dropping some of our most listened to episodes. Unlike Beyonce most Black women didn't wake up like this. Before we were strong Black women we were little Black girls being socialized to be strong. Tap in to this week's encore episode as we talk about childhold experiences that often thrust little Black girls into the trope of the strong Black woman. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Join the My Strong Is global campaign by being a guest on the podcast. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.

"My strong is honoring my full body yeses, and trusting even the quietest whispers of my no's" In today's episode Tšhegofatšo Ndabane shares how she spent so much time caring for others til she didn't know how to care for herself. She goes on to share how a bout with extreme burnout not only isolated her from her community, but also sat her down and forced her to take a look at how she was treating herself. That awakening is now supporting her in doing life from a place that honors who she is and who she's becoming. Tšhegofatšo offers simple strategies that can be easily integrated in to everyday life so you don't find yourself suffering from burnout and how you can start recovering if you're already there. ... and the icing on the cake is how she supports her friends and family so they're not working themselves into physical and emotional exhaustions. Tap in sis! You don't want to miss this one. About Tšhegofatšo Ndabane Tšhegofatšo is a writer, chief storyteller and strategist at Hustling Writers, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology researcher at the University of Cape Town. Her words have been featured in various international publications including Refinery29, Well + Good, Life & Thyme, and Food52, amongst others. When she’s not writing away or sitting with the stories of her clients, she can be found walking, exploring art and nature, or experimenting with a new baking recipe. Connect with Tšhegofatšo on LinkedIn, Instagram, &/or Substack RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Join the My Strong Is global campaign by being a guest on the podcast. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.

"I don't know who needs to hear this, but check on your strong friends." How many times have you seen this statement floating around social media? How many times did you actually check on your strong friend? How many times did she say, "I'm good." ... and how many times did you hear I'm good and kept it moving? Listen, we're not here to judge because the reality is your strong friend is usually out here in these streets straight capping. No, seriously. Even you check on her she spouts out some version of "I'm fine" because she's the strong one and that's what she's supposed to say. In today's episode we're talking about hearing what she's NOT saying, aka looking for indicators that your strong friend might need support even when she "looks so happy". Tap in sis, because we have thoughts. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Come be our guest on the podcast. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.

"What if you're having a tough day and you manage to get out of bed? That's worth celebrating." In today's episode Paballo Rampa gives us a peek inside her journey to healing from the Strong Black Woman Syndrome. She paints us a picture of how she spent years dismantling the label that had been thrust upon her and how she is now showing herself love and compassion and creating boundaries that honor who she was created to be. Paballo is adamanat about teaching others how to treat her by showing the world how she consistently and deliberately celebrates herself. Tap in sis because she goes on to take us inside her journey to healing from the ancestral trauma that was contributing to the way she was living life. About Paballo Rampa Pabollo is an initiated black, queer female shaman from South Africa who is also a 2x published author. She also hosts the podcast I am Clapping For You which is about celebrating Africans from all over the world. Pabollo is on a quest to encourage people to celebrate intentionally and consistently, and with the guidance of her ancestors, she has launched a 7-Day Challenge To Celebrate Yourself which is aimed at overachievers and also coaches them through it. Paballo also offers creativity coaching for owners of creative businesses. Connect with Paballo on Facebook and Instagram @Come See Beyond. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Come be our guest on the podcast. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.

Mothers, they're human, they're flawed, and they have their own stories. But their stories don't have to dictate how we live our lives. Mother's Day is peeking over the horizon which means we'll soon be flooded with commercials, social media posts and Hallmark card images of the perfect mother-daughter relationships, but the reality is that's not everyone's story and those images and posts do nothing to help manage the feelings and emotions that arise for those who (for a various reasons) can't celebrate their moms. Tune in to today's episode as publicist & author, Adrienne Allen shares her thoughts surrounding difficult parent/child relationships and gives us a peek inside her journey to lovingly letting her mom go. This message was originally posted on Adrienne's YouTube channel and can be viewed HERE. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Have a question for Shirl and Natty? Fill out our form and we may answer it in a future episode. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.

It kinda feels like we've been living in a pandemic state of mind for decades now, when the reality is it's only been about three years. The world around us seems to be crumbling both on the inside and the outside and some days it feels like it's impossible to pull yourself out of that sunken place. All of your wants and desires suddenly feel meaningless and not worth pursuing and all you want to know is when it gets better, right? The truth is it never gets better. Life is constantly happening -- yeah it eases up a little bit here and there, but it never gets better. But you know what does? YOU do, sis. and The way you respond to it gets better. The way you maintain your peace in the midst of it all gets better and that's what we're talking about this week -- how you can be good when life is no. Tap in to get some insight on how you can find peace when everything seems to be falling apart. RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING LIFE WITH LESS STRESS, LESS WORRY, AND LESS EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM Come gather and grow with us in the SOS SAFE SPACES support group. Want to be a part of a community of Black women supporting Black women through the ebbs and flows of life? Come gather with us monthly to chat it up about all the things that concern us, while holding each other accountable with love — accountable for how we see ourselves, treat ourselves, walk through the world, and how we allow others to treat us. Join SOS SAFE SPACES today. Cultivate a daily practice of nurturing yourself with Nurture Yourself Bingo Nurturing yourself does not have to be difficult, but it does need to be consistent, so why not make it fun. Nurture Yourself Bingo is divided into five categories – one category per card. Each category has twenty-four activities to support you in a daily practice of nurturing yourself. All you need to do to get started is print the cards, laminate them, and start nurturing yourself. Do one activity daily, marking a X in the squares as you go until you get bingo. Once you get bingo, do something to celebrate yourself. If you get bingo on more than one card at the same time, up the celebration. Alternatively, you can work on one card at a time and/or do more than one activity a day. It’s your practice, do what feels right for you. Whatever you decide, we've got FIVE CATEGORIES & 124 WAYS for you to do it. Have a question for Shirl and Natty? Fill out our form and we may answer it in a future episode. Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE Connect and share with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and catch up with all things Shades of Strong at www.shadesofstrong.com.