The Letters and Layers Podcast
In a media landscape that prioritizes sensationalism, sound bites, and superficial conversations, Amaka, host of The Letters and Layers Podcast, brings her authentic self to each episode, and goes deep with discussing life lessons, personal experiences, books she loves, and mental health topics like depression, anxiety, and healing from trauma . Tune in for insight on personal growth and improvement that resonate with Black women today.
Episodes
We've made it to the final episode of the year and I feel so much gratitude for the success of this podcast this year and life personally. I used this episode to talk a little bit about my weekend and then shared what I'm thankful for this year. Lastly I talk about my hopes for 2026 - I'm looking forward to slowing all the way down and getting to know myself deeper as a woman who's transitioning into motherhood. I also talk about s...
Happy December!
As you can see from the title, I have some big news to share with my listeners, and am so happy to talk about what this pregnancy and journey to motherhood has been like for me so far. I hope you listen to the end.
I've re-lauched my Youtube channel! Subscribe and support! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mylettersandlayers/videos
As always, please share and recommend, and thank you so much for the support!
EMAIL: contact...
On this episode of The Letters & Layers, Podcast, I share my review of Hulu's new show All's Fair, and talk about the concept of the 10-year overnight success. I share some examples and honorable mentions that are meant to remind us that often the people we see in the spotlight have worked years to get to where they are and if you believe in what your doing, know that time is on your side. I hope you listen to the end.
It's November!
The holiday season is upon us, and that can mean more socializing and being out more with friends and family. I had to do some personal reframing for myself last weekend as someone who struggled with friendships when younger, but has done the work to build a community over the years. The cost of maintaining friendships is time and energy, and 9 times out of 10, it is always worth it.
I also share a gentle reminder aro...
It is the middle of October and I am excited to bring you an episode focused solely on my thoughts of former Vice President Kamala Harris' new book 107 Days. It was a pleasure to read while also feeling strong empathy for her navigating the insurmountable task of campaigning to be President of the United States in only three and half months, and still also dealing with challenges only unique to Black women. I feel like I know and u...
Happy October!
I wanted to share on this episode a behavior I've been practicing more often lately, where I incorporate moments and periods of silence in my daily life. We are inundated with external stimuli every second of the day, so being more intentional about this has helped with feeling more grounded and connected to myself. I hope you listen to the end.
Thank you again to the Black Podcasting Association for nominating the pod...
On this episode of the podcast, I continue sharing my thoughts on Chimamanda's book Dream Count by highlighting four quotes and excerpts that make me laugh, think, and will stay with me for a long time. I hope you listen to the end.
I've re-lauched my Youtube channel! Subscribe and support! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mylettersandlayers/videos
As always, please share and recommend, and thank you so much for the support!
EMAIL: con...
Happy September!
In celebration of the four year anniversary of this podcast, I decided to look back and spotlight the first episode that kicked off this amazing journey. Before doing so, I share some personal thoughts about what this podcast has meant to me and what I hope for the future. If you've never heard the first episode, you're in for a treat. Thank you as always for listening.
On this episode of the podcast, I share my thoughts on the book Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I talk about how the theme of dreams expands beyond the role of men in these characters lives, but also cannot ignore their impact on Chiamaka, Zikora, Omelogor and Kadiatou, for better or worse. I hope you listen to the end.
I've re-lauched my Youtube channel! Subscribe and support! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mylettersandlay...
It's great to be back with new episodes!
I spent time this episode talking about my trip to Lisbon while I was away and Tracee Ellis Ross' new solo travel show on The Roku Channel. I loved it so much and thought the timing was perfectly aligned with my solo trip to Portugal. I hope you listen to the end!
I've re-lauched my Youtube channel! Subscribe and support! Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mylettersandlayers/videos
As always, pleas...
On this episode of the podcast, I look back and reflect on some of my favorite Letters & Layers episodes of the year so far. Towards the end of the episode I share a prayer from Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley written specifically for Black women (19:16) . I hope you listen to the end.
I'm going on break! This will be the last episode until we return for the fall season on August 1st.
I started a blog! Visit (www.thelettersa...
On this episode of The Letters and Layers Podcast, I talk about some personal updates, then share how betting on yourself can mean turning down opportunities that come your way (10:26). I also discuss how my relationship with the phenomenon imposter syndrome has changed over time, and how I am actively in the process of rejecting it in my life (19:18). I hope you listen to the end.
I'll be going on an extended break soon! The June 1...
On this episode of The Letters and Layers Podcast, I am very excited to share my interview with Nikkya Hargrove, author of Mama: A Queer Black Woman's Story of a Family Lost & Found. This was a rich and thoughtful conversation, and I hope you listen to the end.
Nikkya Hargrove is a LAMBDA Literary Nonfiction Fellow and has written about adoption, marriage, motherhood, and the prison system for The Washington Post, the Guardian, ...
On this episode of The Letters and Layers Podcast, I talk about the commitment I made to eliminate my consumption of sweets and sugar during the season of Lent. I also share some realizations I had after Lent ended, and the noticeable ways my body and overall well-being has changed. I hope you listen to the end.
I'll be going on an extended break soon! The June 1st episode will be the last until we return with new episodes on August...
On this episode of The Letters and Layers Podcast, I'm talking about a Youtube video that prompted me to interrogate the limiting beliefs I have as a creative and artist. I share those limiting beliefs on the podcast, and encourage my listeners to identify where in their life they hold limiting beliefs that could be keeping them from the goals or success they are working towards. I hope you listen to the end.
Youtube Video: https://...
On this episode of The Letters and Layers Podcast, I jump right in and talk about a traumatic event that happened to me while away for a weekend last month in California. In order to successfully process the experience and prevent any debilitating impact, I employed some exposure therapy tactics to help rewire my brain and prevent the trauma from impeding my day to day life. I hope you listen to the end.
Exposure therapy resources:
On this episode of the podcast, I share three statements and affirmations that help with managing self-doubt and feelings of overwhelm and failure (11:29). Before I start the segment, I talk about some books I'm currently reading, giving back to the community and seeing amazing art from Black creatives at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. I hope you listen to the end.
Black Creativity Juried Exposition: https://www.msi...
On this March 1st episode, I start by sharing some forms of creativity that have inspired me recently (6:43). I then devote my main segment to discussing ways to reconnect and honor the desires of your inner child, like reintroducing old activities and that brought you joy, and tools for facilitating the therapeutic process of healing any trauma or negative experiences from childhood into adulthood (17:40). I hope you listen to the...
On this episode of The Letters and Layers Podcast, I highlight two articles written last year by the Atlanta Tribune and The Black Women in Science Network discussing how inability to process feelings and emotions can increase the risk of auto-immune disorders among Black women. I share statistics, biological context, and strategies to help with reducing the likelihood of developing these conditions. I hope you listen to the end.
Ar...
Hey everyone!
Happy February! Coming to you after unfortunately losing my initial recording for today's episode, but I am leaning heavily on consistency, and have re-recorded the first part of what would have been published. I will re-record part 2 discussing Black Women, Anger Suppression, and Auto-Immune disorders for the February 15th episode.
In this one, I talk about approaching 100 episodes of the podcast this year, streaming m...
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