Whether it’s a soft beat or a Met Gala glamour moment, putting on makeup can inspire confidence and unleash the inner baddie within many of us. Welcome back to another installment of our January Jumpstart series – designed to make 2025 one of your best years yet. You’ll want to grab a notepad, a mirror, and maybe a little setting spray as we explore how beginners can kickstart their makeup journey — while not forgetting that true beauty lies within. Joining me for this conversation is the artist, creative director, and makeup maestro, Sir John. Sir John is the visionary behind iconic looks for legends like Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, and Serena Williams and is also a Creative Director, Business Executive, and TV Host. 

During our conversation, we discussed his journey of becoming a makeup mogul, shares some of his favorite makeup hacks (including a few Beyoncé-approved tips), and emphasizes the importance of developing a personal relationship with makeup that’s undeterred by trends or societal pressures.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Sir John

Instagram

Website 

Naked Beauty Podcast

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever heard the term “estate planning” and thought it was something only for the old, wealthy, or those with children, think again. In today’s January Jumpstart podcast episode — designed to help you make 2025 one of your best years yet — we’ll be exploring how the process of organizing your will, as well as encouraging family members to do so, can be the key to unlocking a legacy of generational wealth for yourself and your loved ones.

Joining me for this conversation is the founder of the Association of Black Estate Planning Professionals, Attorney Aimee Griffin. Aimee is the principal attorney of Life & Legacy Counselors, an estate and business succession firm committed to creating, protecting, and transferring wealth. She is committed to strategic community economic development for Black people and serves as a corporate counselor, professor, and community educator. In today's conversation, we break down the steps of estate planning, highlight common mistakes to avoid during the process, and explore how estate planning can serve as a powerful tool for addressing the racial wealth gap.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Aimee

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025 and to year 3 of our January Jumpstart series. Kicking off this month’s lineup of transformative conversations is a guest that I know several of you will know and recognize: Les Alfred, host of the Balanced Black Girl podcast. With expertise as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and certified yoga instructor, Les uses her platform to support her community in creating nourishing habits that help them create the necessary space to live their best lives. In today’s discussion, we approached a topic that I know many of you are thinking through any time we enter a new year — how can I “glow-up” into my best self? What habits might we consider adopting in order to facilitate a glow-up? Along the glow-up journey, how do I handle situations in which I’m forced to step out of my comfort zone? And lastly, what changes might I have to make in my life to fully actualize my desired glow-up? We answer those questions and more in today’s episode.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Les

Instagram

YouTube

Balanced Black Girl Podcast

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Year often brings a whirlwind of pressure to reinvent ourselves, leading us to set unrealistic goals. In this final podcast episode of the year, I’m challenging you to consider what it might look like to spend these final days of 2024 reflecting, reframing, and being present rather than rushing ahead.

Please welcome meditation teacher Dora Kamau as our guest for this week. She is here to discuss how we might welcome in the new year by practicing mindfulness. With a background in Psychology and Psychiatric nursing, Dora leads workshops, events, and retreats to hold space for individuals to explore different expressions of presence. You may recognize Dora’s voice, as she is also a meditation teacher at Headspace, a leading mindfulness and meditation app.

Together, Dora and I unpacked some of the common anxieties that come up at the dawn of a new year, explored what it looks like to shift from making New Year’s resolutions to simply setting intentions, and gave tips for how you can incorporate mindfulness activities like journaling, meditating, and affirmation-setting into our daily lives as we enter 2025. And as a special end-of-the-year treat, we’ve included a 10-minute meditation from Dora to support you in easing any lingering worries as we head into 2025.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Headspace

Radio Headspace + Dear Headspace

Wherever You Go, There You Are by John Kabat-Zinn

When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron 

Joyfully Just by Kamilah Majied

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Dora

Instagram

Website

TikTok

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With so much happening this year, from the presidential election to rap beef, we could all use an explanation for why things went the way they did. More importantly, what’s next as we look to 2025? Helping us to answer that question is returning guest Mecca Woods. Mecca is a New York City-based astrologer and author who works to help others create a life they truly want using their natural-born gifts. Her writing and Astro-guidance have appeared in places like Bustle, Essence, and TLC. During our conversation we go back to 2023 to see how many of Mecca’s predictions about 2024 were accurate, discuss how astrology can be used to guide the success of businesses and companies, and lastly, share some of the major astrological events and transits that will influence our lives in 2025.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Mecca

Website

Instagram

Books

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we continue to explore the experiences of Black women from several religious backgrounds, this week I’m in dialogue with Dr. Pamela Ayo Yetunde, who shares her journey of becoming a practicing Buddhist. Dr. Yetunde is a pastoral counselor and the author of several books, including "Casting Indra's Net" and the forthcoming "Dearly Beloved: Prince, Spirituality, and This Thing Called Life." 

During our conversation today, we explore some of the basic principles of Buddhism, how Buddhism as a philosophy can inform our practice of other religions, and the significance of mindfulness activities such as yoga and meditation within Buddhism.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Dr. Yetunde

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are lots of stereotypes that come with being a member of Gen Z, but few are truer than the idea of us having a poor attention span, being obsessed with TikTok, and hating to consume media if it’s not in a short-form package. 

On her way to solve this crisis of media illiteracy that has consumed our generation is self-proclaimed “media literate hottie,” and today’s guest, Kelsey Russell. Kelsey is an entrepreneur, influencer, and podcaster with a goal of using print media as the vehicle for promoting better emotional regulation when interacting with news. This mantra comes to life on her TikTok page of nearly 100K followers, where she dynamically reads different newspapers and magazines to her audience. 

In our conversation today, Kelsey and I discussed how to peep which news outlets are credible and which ones aren’t, why it’s important to continue to engage with print media as opposed to all digital, and why it may not be wise to get all your news from TikTok.

Where to Find Kelsey

Instagram

TikTok

HOMEWORK

• Locate the nearest library to your house and consider registering for a library card! They’re free and a great way to begin re-engaging with physical media.

• Discover what’s important to you when it comes to what makes a good source. Consider making a list of these characteristics and using them to field any outlet you read moving forward.

• The next time a friend or family member posts some shady news, brainstorm how you might guide them into uplifting something more credible.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Instagram

TikTok

Interested in being a part of a future TBG U episode or suggesting a topic for us to discuss, send us a note HERE. 

Order a copy of Sisterhood Heals for you and your girls HERE. 

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Producer: Ellice Ellis

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

TBG University Host: Jayna Ellis

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether it’s an essay on last night’s viral moment, a deep dive into a favorite celebrity’s career, or a hot take that sets social media on fire, cultural critique is something that helps us analyze, question, and understand the world around us. But what makes a good piece of criticism? And why do we sometimes embrace it—or resist it—so strongly?

Joining us this week to talk intimately about the state of cultural criticism is journalist, writer, and care worker,  J Wortham. You may know J as a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, where they co-hosted the podcast ‘Still Processing —  a weekly show about pop culture, television, films, books, music, and the internet. J is also a sound healer, reiki practitioner, and herbalist oriented towards healing justice and liberation. During our conversation, we discuss the role of the critic in our society, how to distinguish between a care-centered vs. a bad-faith critique, and the ways in which platforms like Twitter and TikTok have made criticism so accessible in both good and bad ways.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find J

Substack

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media has the ability to make running a business look glamorous, but the reality of being an entrepreneur is often a lot more complex. And as Black women, the pressure is always on to be excellent, magical, and do everything ourselves, often leading to an imbalance between our businesses and our mental health. This week we're diving into a discussion of entrepreneurship and mental health with returning podcast guest, Melissa Ifill. Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving clients in New York, Georgia, and Florida.

During our conversation, we explored the ways in which our identities and traumas have the potential to show up in our businesses, how ideas of “Black excellence” can leave us stuck in a cycle of burnout, and learning how to ask and receive help from your community.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Melissa

 Website

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get ready, because class is almost in session. Welcome to the Therapy For Black Girls University podcast tailored for the 20-something who’s packing for a new year on campus, thinking through their gap year, enrolling in a community college, grabbing their stoles for graduation, and everything in between.

Black girls have always been the queens of having one or two side hustles at once, especially in college, when you can count on your dorm-mate to be a lash tech, braider, and even a tailor. But what happens when you decide it’s time to upgrade your side hustle into a full-on business? Well, our guest knows a lot about that. Today, we're joined by the founder of the lifestyle wear brand STRIPT, Arianna Davis. Ari is an attorney-turned-entrepreneur and a double graduate of Howard University. In our conversation today, we discuss Ari’s journey from Howard Law student to full-time entrepreneur, how to shoot your shot with big names in order to grow your business, and strategies for balancing textbooks with checkbooks.

Where to Find Our Guests

Ari’s Instagram

Ari’s TikTok

Stript’s Instagram

Stript’s TikTok

AFFIRMATIONS

• I am capable of turning my existing passions into a successful business.

• My unique perspective and experiences are valuable assets in the entrepreneurial world.

• I embrace the challenges that lie ahead of me as opportunities for growth and innovation.

   

   

   

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Instagram

TikTok

Interested in being a part of a future TBG U episode or suggesting a topic for us to discuss, send us a note HERE. 

Order a copy of Sisterhood Heals for you and your girls HERE. 

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Producer: Ellice Ellis

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

TBG University Host: Jayna Ellis

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With its no-bars-held look into the insidious world of investment banking, many of us fell in love with the HBO MAX series INDUSTRY, and more specifically, its non-traditional lead character, Harper Stern. Harper’s brash and unapologetic maneuvering through the gritty political world set her up as a breakout character for the series and an interesting and unexpected deviation from the strong Black woman trope. Joining me this week for a deeper dive into Harper's character is Organizational Psychologist, Nchopia Nwokoma, who speaks to how relationships with organizations and communities impact how individuals show up in the workplace. During our conversation, we unpack Harper’s journey across three seasons, reflecting on what her victories and challenges at PeerPoint might teach us about our own workplaces.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Nchopia

 LinkedIn

Instagram

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.