We say it all the time — check on your strong friend — but do we really know what that means?
In this Support Snippet, Shirl goes deeper than the surface-level reminder and speaks directly to what it looks like when strong Black women go quiet. When the one who always holds everyone else down suddenly pulls back. When the “I’m fine” doesn’t really mean fine anymore.
If you’re the strong one, or you love someone who is, this short but powerful episode will help you think differently about how support shows up, who it’s for, and what’s hiding in the silence after we stop over-functioning.
Because here’s the truth:
The strong friend gets tired too.
And when she stops showing up the way she always has — it’s not drama.
It’s a signal.
What it really means to check on your strong friend
Why many strong Black women feel invisible when they stop doing
The emotional weight of being “the dependable one”
A gentle reminder that strong women deserve to be held too
Whether you’ve been the strong friend, ignored the strong friend, or realized that you are the strong friend… this conversation is for you.
Because shifting from being a strong Black woman to being a supported Black woman?
That’s the real work.
And it starts with noticing.
Shirl is holding space for Black women who are ready to rest, reflect, and receive support without guilt.
Book a 1:1 Support Session HERE.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Male Room with Dr. Jesse Mills
As Director of The Men’s Clinic at UCLA, Dr. Jesse Mills has spent his career helping men understand their bodies, their hormones, and their health. Now he’s bringing that expertise to The Male Room — a podcast where data-driven medicine meets common sense. Each episode separates fact from hype, science from snake oil, and gives men the tools to live longer, stronger, and happier lives. With candor, humor, and real-world experience from the exam room and the operating room, Dr. Mills breaks down the latest health headlines, dissects trends, and explains what actually works — and what doesn’t. Smart, straightforward, and entertaining, The Male Room is the show that helps men take charge of their health without the jargon.