The Secret Lives of Black Women

Charla and Lauren get a lot of questions from listeners about how to sell a podcast. They might not have all the answers, but in this episode Stitcher Senior Producer Stephanie Kariuki comes on to share her words of wisdom for getting a project off the ground. She also throws in tips on finding work life balance and finessing all aspects of life with a self-starter attitude.

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We may recognize the political symbolism of an afro or a “future is female” shirt, but cultural historian Tanisha Ford sees a political meaning in nearly everything Black women wear--whether they’re trying to make a statement or not. In this episode, she takes a step back to explain the origin stories of some of the most popular fashion items for Black women and girls. And she breaks down the little-known ways that “high fashion” ...

Growing up in Agusta County Georgia, Raquel Willis didn’t find the language for what was so different about her gender experience until young adulthood. But in just a few years since her gender transition, she’s become a leading thinker on gender politics and feminism with her journalism and non-profit work. In this episode, Raquel fills us in on how she became a key player in the movement for LGBTQ rights, where she thinks it’s go...

Charla and Lauren are tired of environmentalism constantly being associated with white activists. This week 18-year-old climate justice organizer Elsa Mengistu (our future president) fills us in on what it’s been like to fight for the environment at Howard University and bring her race-conscious approach to the national stage. Her insights show there are big divides between the youth movement and adult organizers. But like a true f...

In this second installment of our two-parter on managing grief, Charla and Lauren talk with Detroit community leader Espy Thomas aka Etta Fly. She started her own grief management circle run out of her family’s sweet potato restaurant called “Where Do Black Women Go to Grieve?” And she’s here to discuss how she helped Black women in her community break through the cultural barriers and red tape around seaking therapy, to talk throu...

Black women are constantly exposed to death in our private lives and in the media, but we rarely talk about the process of grieving. Lauren has been grappling with her own grief for decades after losing her father at nine and Charla is hoping to learn new ways to support her loved ones through unfathomable losses. In this episode, they talk with licensed grief counselor Keisha Wells about ways to manage the various manifestations o...

These days it seems like everyone is trying to channel their inner spirituality or witchiness. Charla and Lauren have gotten increasingly curious about what new rituals they could develop on their own journeys, but there are so many traditions one could consider and so many ways to get scammed. In this episode, spiritual guide Ayanna Maia gives an inside-look at how she helps her clients develop their own spiritual intuition, avoid...

Lauren has been waiting for this episode since the day this podcast was conceived. This week we’re unpacking the increasingly popular lifestyle philosophy of pleasure activism. And we have queer fantasy book writer, performance artist, and self-proclaimed soul sweetener Junauda Petrus here to let us in on the magic. This episode is a meditation on the limitless potential of Black women embracing their wild side and following their ...

In the past few years pole dancing has become more visible than ever in movies, on social media, and at concerts for artists like Summer Walker and Lizzo. Charla and Lauren may have never tried pole dancing before, but they’re eager to learn why it’s become such a key vehicle for Black women’s joy and wellness today. In this episode, pole dancing instructor Dalijah Franklin sheds some light on the meaning of the phenomenon as she e...

Charla and Lauren may be exhausted by the state of Black pandering in the 2020 election but we’ve tapped a big wig in electoral politics to explain what keeps her going. Camonghne Felix is a celebrated poet, writer and political communications wiz who most-recently managed all Black media content for the Elizabeth Warren campaign. She’s here to explain how she's found hope and genuine connection in politics, and why an accomplished...

When Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Lindsay Peoples Wagner told her mother she wanted to leave Brown Deer, Wisconsin to build a career in fashion, her mom said she would have to be the change she needed as a kid. Now, she’s seen a lot she wants to change from exlusive white spaces to Black leaders dissapointing her. In this episode, Lindsay dishes about her behind-the-scenes journey to speak her truth and tell inclusive stories as the ...

In the season two finale, we talk Black Liberation and activism. With the election year in full swing, how do we maintain a sense of hope as black women? Charla and Lauren are joined by academic and civic leader Melina Abdullah. As a self described member of the ‘Panther cub generation’ Abdullah talks about her work within the Black Lives Matter movement and where she finds joy while fighting in the frontlines.

We’ll be back soo...

Success can often be used against black women, especially while dating. Charla and Lauren have experiences that have left them being labeled as ‘intimidating’ or ‘ a lot.’ These descriptions are familiar to Author and Space Launch Quality System Engineer Dr. K. Renee Horton. Working for NASA is something that Dr. Horton loves but people rarely ask about what it’s like to thrive in all the other aspects of life. In this conversation...

When did you realize how much physical space you took up? Lauren first became aware of her body after an awkward childhood encounter. Self described ‘larger than life’ comedian Chloe Hilliard had a different story, but also was cognizant of the space her body took up at a young age. Chloe talks about the journey to holistic self worth and how vulnerable humor allowed her to be honest when she needed it most.

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Charla and Lauren love a good scam. They bring on the Scam Goddess Laci Mosley to give tips on what it takes to be an ethical scammer, especially as a black woman. She shares hilarious insights from her experiences as an actor and comedian while speaking the truth to the power in scams.

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When Charla learned more about budgeting and finances, it changed how she talked about money forever. After all, who hasn’t made ‘getting better with money’ a new years resolution? In this episode Tiffany ’The Budgetnista’ Aliche gives advice on financial management, sheds light on her own struggles and talks about the issues black women in particular have to overcome.

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Mikki Kendall is an author, activist, cultural critic and more. She’s written several books and created the viral Twitter hashtag #Solidarityisforwhitewomen which Lauren distinctly remembers following. The hashtag started a conversation about intersectional feminism which we get into during this episode. We also chat about living in your purpose and what happens when you don’t listen to your body.

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Charla started this podcast in hopes to have conversations she wanted more of when it felt like the country was falling apart. Talking to fellow black women has given both Charla and Lauren hope. Writer, producer and host of Crooked Media’s What A Day podcast, Akilah Hughes says that her hope comes from the local level. Akilah dishes on what she thinks the democratic party needs, where she’s specifically found joy and her personal ...