Take a moment to say “congratulations" to yourself today. Why? Well, 2017 was your year, and 2018 is too. As driven women, we often decide whether a year was “our year" based on what we accomplished: whether we landed that promotion, whether our summer fling became bae or bye, and so on. We measure ourselves by what we did, but we often overlook a huge part of that —the time and effort we took to keep pushing. You deserve a moment to clap for 2017, because you made it.
In fact, you should already be raising a glass to next year. You've powered through this year with enough time left for a strong finish to the calendar and a head start on 2018. To continue growing your glow-up, we've gathered a top-notch selection of podcasts. Skim this list to find your “lmaomgyes" moments, shoulders to cry on, reminders to breathe deep and even a little financial motivation not buy anymore Instagram boutique clothing. Whatever you need to boost your glow in 2018, we've got it.
Ready, Set, Glow!
Hashtag and Stilettos
Can you troubleshoot your way to success? Are brand partnerships right for your brand? Get the answers to questions like these and more from your personal “publicist in your pocket," entrepreneur and PR expert Sakita Holley on Hashtags and Stilettos.
With her expertise in tow, Sakita drops gems and trades verses with some of her entrepreneurial peers like writer Demetria Lucas D'Oyley and CurlBox founder Myleik Teele who shared gems on scaling a business. She also provides insight on the ins and outs of being your own boss, like gifting listeners with the "Sakita Method" to teach them out how to create luck in business and branding, as well as how to build a network as an introvert.
You Had Me at Black
“What percent are you on?" Recharge your black girl magic by tuning in into true-life stories from people who “get" you. Founded by sisters and creative-duo Martina and Britney Abrahams, YHMAB captures stories from black millennials often left out of the media.
You Had Me At Black is a podcast that acts as series of personal journals and captivates the listeners week-to-week by planting them firmly into the lives of perfect strangers with a story to tell. Whether you're a black traveler who comes face-to-face with his past while traveling to Cuba or a creative having trouble answering her calling after a failed relationship took the life from her - there are pieces of us somewhere in these 10+ minute stories.
Joblogues
For many, the first and fifteenth means payday. But what if you could cash in on a career boost during those days too? Check in with hosts Joymarie and Cortney and Joblogues for candid career conversations designed to make your next move, your best move.
The #groupchatgirlfriends of Joblogues give career advice in a down-to-earth way that feels like you're in the middle of a conversation over mimosas after a hard workweek and desperately in need of a little inspiration. Alongside guests like money maven Tonya Rapley and communications guru Amanda McCormick, the ladies show listeners how to hone in on the skills God gave us to create a work life you love to lead.
Myleik Teele's Podcast
Any entrepreneurs in the room who need a mentor? Myleik Teele's Podcast will serve as a virtual mentorship to young aspiring entrepreneur women who are looking to level up in their careers as well as find balance in their professional and personal lives. The conversational podcast allows you to kick it with the creator of CurlBox as she breaks down everything from the importance of therapy, to egg freezing for women in their 30's, and handling your own PR.
With the hashtag #MyTaughtYou, each week, Myleik ensures that you leave her podcast with a lesson to actively and immediately learn from. Above all, she teaches us to stay in our lane while creating one of our own. She is queen of the Q&A's, but has been known to sit down with celebrity guests every now and then with some of her latest appearances featuring Instyle's Fashion & Beauty Editor-At-Large Kahlana Barfield, xoNecole's Editor-In-Chief Necole Kane and celeb hairstylist to the stars Ursula Stephen. But the party definitely doesn't stop there.
2 Dope Queens
2 Dope Queens are your homegirls away from home. Tune in to hear co-hosts Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams take on EVERYTHING, from roasting Ben Carson to some good 'ol girl-gang gossip with the cast of Girls Trip.
The two best friends put on quite the live show. They are black AF, unapologetic AF, and funny AF and it all comes together to create a wildly entertaining 45-minute listen. Guests like Queen Latifah and Teegan & Sarah come through to the weekly barbecue to show up and show out, talking all things love, sex, race, and of course, living in New York.
Black Girl in Om
Chin up, shoulders relaxed, and deep breaths for this one, ladies! The BGIO podcast is a refreshing celebration of wellness, self-care, and self-love for women of color. Follow along with your very own guides-on-the-side, Black Girl in Om founder Lauren Ash and Art Director Deun Ivory as they chat with wellness and beauty gurus of all specialties.
BGIO is the podcast component to the equally peaceful and woo-sah-inducing reads that fill the pages of the Black Girl in Om site. BGIO places a strong emphasis on wellness and can be the reset you're looking for on days where the gloom feels longer than the sun. When guests like Hey Fran Hey or Latham Thomas come through, you better believe that the gems you will receive are going to be potent as ever. But with subjects like finding wholeness, mindfulness, and emotional empowerment, BGIO never fails to deliver.
She's Beauty And Beast
Tracy G. serves as our weekly fairy glow up mother, sprinkling much-needed black girl magic onto the lives of her day-to-day listeners. She walks us through the mundanities of life in a way that seeks to empower the modern-day millennial women on the pathway to owning their dopeness.
A self-proclaimed "audio vision board," She's Beauty And Beast is your one-stop shop for your 2018 glow up with topics ranging from sprituality and sanity to sexuality and sensuality. Tracy G. talks about life post-celibacy, liberation, lacefront beards, and even the effects of overdosing on too much self-improvement.
Consider these two “semi-responsible" millennials your audio-guide to adulting —well at least the personal finance and career aspects. Make money moves that matter through their conversations with a dynamic mix of financial experts on Paychecks & Balances.
Personal finances are one of those aspects in life that you have to steadily work towards each and every day to make sure your accounts are in order, your credit check is on point, and your savings are on deck in full effect. Rich and Marcus can be the advisors your wallet and life will thank you for. With their conversations on financial independence, wealth building, and budgeting - 2018 is bound to full of abundance for you.
The Creative Millennial
If you're a creative and you've ever felt alone or isolated in your craft, that ends as soon as you tune into Candice VanWye's Creative Millennial podcast.
The newly established business podcast is a weekly podcast where Candice talks to creatives of all ages and success points like Essence Hayes, the owner and designer of Coloring Pins who made success the only option and Tasha James, who shared her journey as a blogger with a “small" audience.
The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast
What does it take for you to become the best version of yourself? Kick off your shoes, unhook your bra, and tune into a weekly conversation with licensed psychologist, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford about all things mental health and personal development with the Therapy for Black Girls Podcast.
While Dr. Harden Bradford always stipulates that her weekly sessions are not a replacement for going to therapy, her sessions offer a range of wellness tips and strategies gears to help you maintain your mental health. She talks about red flags in relationships, managing grief, Impostor Syndrome, and ex sex. She also uses fictional characters, like Love & Basketball's Monica and Being Mary Jane's Mary Jane, to help frame important conversations.
Gettin' Grown
What age did you think you'd have it all figured out? Now let's all laugh about it with Keia and Jade, the “happy and hard working (Blackity) Black" hosts of the Gettin' Grown podcast as they try to figure out life as 30-somethings.
How comforting is it to learn that we are all trying to figure this thing called life out? Keia and Jade are our reaffirming sistas from another mista. The ladies give us the real on things like gift giving during the holidays, street harassment, and the importance of owning and protecting your black magic. No one has a game plan, but we can all navigate through these waters together.
The Black Girl Podcast
Name a more iconic *quintet*, we'll wait. Get a dose of these five fresh perspectives from Scottie Beam, Gia Peppers, Sapphira, Bex, and Alysha P and their hilarious takes on life, sisterhood, pop culture, and “making it" on the Black Girl Podcast.
The five women have made a career for themselves as media phenoms in their own right, and became friends while working on Hot 97. The conversations took on a life of its own literally and they decided to create a podcast around it. The opinions sometimes differ but the love is all the same. The girls pose deep questions like whether or not it's important to have love first or respect first, the effects of your choices on your future, exes, and of course, sex. Get your 2018 poppin' with just the right amount of girl talk to lift your spirit and guide you through your day-to-day.
What are some podcasts you listen to for wellness and inspiration? Share your favorites below.
Featured image by Getty Images
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In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Whether career advancement means a promotion, a total change, a jump into entrepreneurship, a salary increase, or taking a total break from the hustle altogether, you can come to a few great realizations and learn how to set and achieve career goals for 2024 by asking the following questions:
1. What aspects of my current work make me feel motivated, happy, and accomplished?
For me, this question allows me to not only think positively about the next steps in my career but to ensure that the work I'm doing aligns with my values. I like to feel accomplished and challenged in my work. I'm also motivated by doing acts of service and building a certain quality of life. I think of these things when I consider my career development and advancement.
Write down what you love about the work you do, what tasks are your favorite, and how your work makes you feel. Are you into moving up the ladder or being of support to leadership? Are you great at administrative tasks but hate public speaking?
Are you more passionate about being the visionary versus handling tedious tasks? Are you more into working from a corporate or home office, or do you like being out in the field or working hands-on with people or things? What is your standard when it comes to feeling accomplished, and how does your industry measure success, results, or impact? Does success tie directly into how much you earn a year? These are just examples of the secondary questions you must ask yourself to assess what keeps you going and makes you tick when it comes to a career.
Getty Images
2. What is my current standing or status in my industry?
It's always good to assess where you currently are in order to know where you're going. And keep it real with yourself. Take a look at your resume and the reality of your job duties, what you actually do from day to day, where you work, and how you've been an asset to a company or industry. What were your sales last year? What projects did you lead that met deliverables? How have you positively impacted the life of someone else as part of your job? What was your attendance like? What's your current salary? Did you get promoted? Why or why not?
Take into account the feedback---constructive criticism, praise, or "bad"--- that you've gotten in your performance reviews, from your managers, or from your coworkers. Also, consider your education and training, whether it's traditional or learned through experience.
Are you at the epicenter of excellence and healthy competition when it comes to reaching the highest levels in your industry (related to location, market, or company)? Are you making the impact you want in terms of the number of people you serve and the types of clients you work with?
If there are areas of improvement, such as communication, time management, leadership, or soft skills, write those down as well. You want a full picture of who you are as a professional in order to map out where you need to go from there.
3. What aspects about my current work do I totally hate?
The answer to this one can come easy for many of us, as oftentimes, we are very clear on what we don't like about our jobs or careers. (That's a major reason I didn't make this the No. 1 question.) And even if you totally love your job, there are always some aspects that aren't as enjoyable as others. Write down the tasks, office culture nuances, and other things related to your daily or monthly work life.
Do you hate going into an actual office? Does the company's way of doing business clash with your values or what you believe to be a better way? Is your company not quite a good fit for working parents or diverse professionals? Are you finding yourself becoming smarter and more efficient than your boss? Do you cringe about the tasks associated with managing people or processes?
Again, get real about this so that you can plan accordingly in terms of changing jobs, and careers, or simply shifting your perspective and approach if your job is one you want to remain at but you don't enjoy the grunt work of it.
This question is also a good way to find out what you want to do when you're utterly clueless about that as well. Maybe you're in a rut or still figuring things out when it comes to what you'll do for a living, so figuring out what you definitely don't want to do will help lead you to what you do.
4. Considering my lifestyle, triggers, and way of thinking, what method of goal-setting serves me and will realistically work?
Many coaches tout the benefits of setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, but that's not the only method you can use to set goals and stick to them. I'm a big fan of the HARD method (which stands for heartfelt, animated, required, difficult) because it's more along the lines of how I think, how I work, and how I process goals with the consideration of my obstacle triggers (i.e. people and things that lead to procrastination, heightened anxiety, or waning determination).
I find the SMART technique to be formulaic, strict, and quite boring, so I'm less inclined to meet my goals because I don't feel the passion or excitement to do so. (That's not to say it doesn't work. Again, this is based on the person and what motivates them to follow through on a process of setting goals.)
There are other methods for setting goals, including OKR (objectives and key results), micro goals (setting multiple smaller goals versus one larger goal), or backward goals (starting from the outcome and planning backward from there based on what that end goal entails).
With any technique, you'll need to come to some sense of clarity about where you want to go (or at least how you want your work life to look in 2024 or beyond) and be able to hold yourself accountable by setting deadlines or measurable targets to hit within setting the goal. There might be changes you need to make, additional classes or training you need to get, or maybe even relocation in store, but you won't know until you actually map out using some sort of technique that can organize your thoughts and plan of action.
5. What resources do I need that contribute to career fulfillment and the quality of life I want?
Another commonality among the successful is the fact that they have a tribe, and they don't achieve success alone. It takes community and resources in order to advance. Write down what resources you might need and how you can tap into those resources in order to meet some of the goals you've set using the methods mentioned previously.
How can you get a mentor? Do you need to go back to school or get more education? Are you able to intern, volunteer, or position yourself for certain projects at your current job in order to gain experience? If you're considering entrepreneurship, what grants or programs can you apply for in order to be a success, get funding, or transition from your 9-to-5?
What financial, time, or personal support will you need from family, friends, and colleagues in order to reach your goals? What expenses (and yes, time and your talent are expenses) can you cover in order to reach those goals (i.e., tuition, extra time after work, volunteer hours, or mental focus)? Consider all resources and possibilities, even if you deem them impossible or unreachable.
While there might be very real systemic and societal barriers to accessing resources for career development and advancement--- especially for Black women---there are resources that you can tap into. Add hard work, research, reliance on your network, use of your unique skills, and an attitude that nobody can stop you, and you've got a prosperous plan for career success in the new year.
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