Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn

With so much to be grateful and excited about, the Besties’ latest chat opens up with a celebration of Angie’s youngest's HBCU university graduation with high honors, a testament to the power of hard work, prayer, and an amazing village. 

But that's just the start. The Besties reminisce about their cherished family traditions, now taking new shapes as their children carve out their own paths. Then Leslie shares her prepara...

Adrienne Keane is a colleague turned dear friend to Angella, and a long-time fan of this podcast. 

She recently completed her 13th marathon and is a member of the elite World Marathon Majors having completed the six greatest marathons: Boston, NY, Chicago, Berlin, London, and Tokyo.

Her 13th marathon was this past April but it is the first in which she completed as a para athlete.

In this episode, you’ll be enamored and inspired by  A...

Have you ever felt like the very job that's supposed to empower you is the one chipping away at your soul? 

Psychologist Dr. Kimani Norrington-Sands joins The Besties to shed light on the harsh realities Black women often encounter in toxic work environments. Her journey from a stifling workplace to a thriving private practice is a testament to the resilience and fortitude it takes to reclaim one's professional life. In th...

In the last episode of Season 7, the Besties and guest Carla Forte, Licensed Clinical Social Worker & IT Manager, are getting real about the intersections of identity, career, and the audacity to be our authentic selves. 

Carla's choice to rock her natural gray hair at the office after over 2 yrs of wigs & weaves, wasn't just about style—it was a bold declaration of self. Her story is emblematic of a journey many o...

When Leslie listened to a podcast that discussed the role of a death doula she was intrigued.  She was accustomed to the ins and outs of establishing an estate plan, but the work of a death doula was completely foreign. Is the concept new to you?

The Besties tuned in to a recent episode of Dr Joy Harden Bradford’s Therapy for Black Girls podcast and they learned about Alua Arthur and the company she founded Going With Grace. Ms Arth...

Ever wondered how you'll be spending your days when you're 90? Leslie was fascinated by The 90+ Study conducted at UC Irvine so in this episode the Besties went in. 

In 2003, investigators began to look at “the oldest-old” in one of the largest studies of this group of people ever conducted, to determine the factors contributing to longevity. One of the fascinating findings included a participant who was seemingly resistan...

When a friend confessed to not having a bucket list, it got us thinking – are we all wired to yearn for more to accomplish in our lives, or is there a hidden bliss in simply savoring the now and your already completed achievements? 

Leslie confessed that her bucket list sits prominently on her wall with the items waiting to be ticked off. Listen in on an insightful conversation with the Besties; they consider the concepts of persona...

Would you be able to describe your lifestyle as agile?  In other words, as your life stands right now, could you relocate within a short period of time in order to embrace a dream opportunity?  Most of us can not.  In this episode of Black Boomer Besties for Brooklyn, Leslie and Angella describe the recent changes in Angella’s life and discuss her process of simplifying things- letting go of “stuff” and instead embracing a more joy...

This episode was triggered by a post on social media entitled: For those who are 60 yrs and above, please read this. How could The Besties resist?

Ever wondered when's the perfect time to tap into those savings you've been squirreling away for the so-called 'golden years'?  But wait! The Besties aren’t even in agreement that the early 60s are yet golden. Nonetheless, this episode might just solve the mystery of w...

This episode is an intimate journal entry for The Besties where they discuss what happens when friendships become fractured. Leslie and Angella share an honest reflection on the complexities that come with nurturing friendships, understanding the pivotal role of communication in them, and the strength needed to weather misunderstandings.

Even when there is clarity of one’s intentions, it may be time to walk away from the effort to r...

After over 30 years of suburban living, Ange followed through on her desire to go back to urban living. Her Brooklyn-soul had been yearning for the energy of people moving about or at the bus stop, hearing familiar music coming from cars, walking to coffee and restaurants. 

Ange is admittedly nostalgic but also a realist. The mosaic of city life is not without its complexities, as the social intricacies of her new neighborhood unfol...

When the weight of the world felt too heavy, a beacon of hope and transformation emerged in our heartfelt conversation with Jennifer Campbell, CEO and founder of SoulStar.  Jennifer Campbell is a leader of leaders. Through her Systemic Leadership Summit, global leaders meet to create lasting shifts in how leadership is perceived and experienced, emphasizing holistic inclusivity, sustainability, and strategic diversity.

It has been h...

Although Black History month ended last week, we are keenly aware that Black History is every month and for everybody.  After all, Black history is American history. 

We bring you this week the lesser told stories of two African American pioneers: Pauli Murray and Bayard Rustin. They are two pivotal yet often unheralded champions of the Civil Rights Movement, whose legacies intertwine with the fabric of America's ongoing quest ...

Are you in your selfish season? Do you long to be? And do you have the courage to tell others exactly what it is that you need?   

In this, part 2 of the popular episode with Stephanie Perry, Besties Angella and Leslie continue their conversation exploring the societal norms around our work lives, burnout and the timing around retirement.  Stephanie offers her unique perspective on striving for a life of ease as she “bops ...

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've likely seen and heard about the public hearings of GA District Attorney Fani Willis. DA Willis is prosecuting the alleged Georgia election fraud trial of former President Trump and has found herself in her own legal entanglement. Willis is being accused of hiring a former romantic partner to gain financially from the prosecution. 

Regardless of which side you find yo...

“Waiting until retirement age to start living is a scam!” Well, that is guest  Stephanie Perry’s stance on why she has made it her goal to get Black women to “take career breaks, bop around the world, or move abroad all while embracing ease”

The Besties have mentioned her several times as a model of free-living, unapologetically choosing ease, and a window into the world of what she refers to as the “adult gap year”. 

Stephanie’s tra...

People don’t relish talking about pain. Valid. So let’s talk about pain relief.

Dana Karen (DK) Ciccone’s journey with pain started suddenly at age 13 while performing a solo in the musical Godspell at a local theater. It was her effort to seek (and find) relief that led to her commitment to help others move their bodies in order to “conquer chronic pain, increase stress resilience, and reclaim an active life”. 

DK found Pilates to b...

For several years Ange has adopted a daily writing practice that she attributes to changing her life.  

She describes this, now ritual, as a stream of consciousness style that strengthens her connection to God, answers questions, challenges assumptions, and allows her to be her most vulnerable, without judgment. Lately, she has opened her writing time for others to join to reap the benefits of their own practice. Leslie, o...

Katt Williams said whaaaat??? 

In his recent interview on Club Shay Shay, Shannon Sharp’s popular online show, comedian Katt Williams almost broke the internet.  His nearly 3 hour appearance skyrocketed to 37 million views within hours. He had to “tell the truth couldn’t let the lies stand” after some fellow comedic contemporaries were earlier guests. And boy did he go all in. He had folks clutching their pearls!