Podcasts are taking the place of talk shows and in some cases television altogether. While it's fulfilling and entertaining to listen to podcasts alone, there's nothing like listening with a group of girlfriends.
Thanks to the hot topics and life lessons we can all relate to, it's not rare for a group chat to be on 10 as we recap the latest edition of our favorite podcasts. But they can go from 10 to 100 real quick when you listen to these podcasts together.
Check out 13 dope podcasts for you and your girlfriends.
Wanna Be
Formerly known as "Melanin Millennials", the main host Imrie lives across the pond in London, but we can still relate to what she has to say as she brings her millennial and melanin viewpoint on a variety of subjects. From the beloved Black Twitter from the Brit's perspective to all the struggles millennials are facing; all topped with a dose of shade. She and her guest co-hosts literally talk about everything like dealing with homelessness to being the only African-American in an office. Can you believe they cover all of this in less than 30 minutes? Yeesss.
Call Your Girlfriend
The name alone makes it clear this podcast is one you and your closest girlfriends can get into. The best part is that it caters to friends who don't live in the same city -- something that all too familiar in this wonderful world of adulting. Co-hosted by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman (and produced by Gina Delvac), these ladies don't hold back as they tackle everything from period cycles to dealing with issues in the workplace, all while keeping it entertaining. It's also a bonus that the hosting lineup is pretty diverse, so they provide a variety of viewpoints as they speak on all things women. You can check out new episodes on iTunes every Friday.
Sit With Us
Mean Girl enthusiasts already know the significance of the name of this podcast. But even if you've never seen the movie, it's clear the hosts take a pretty welcoming stance when it comes to celebrating one another as women. It's definitely the type of podcast any group of girlfriends needs to listen to as a unit. It goes without saying that they discuss everyday issues like motherhood and current events, but the main idea of the podcast is to tackle the mean girl mentality of social media and the Internet, which is amazing. Check out the most recent episodes on iTunes!
Hey, Girl
While Alex Elle hosts this podcast solo dolo, she brings in guests for each episode to have empowering conversations on topics we all vent about with our closest friends. And trust, they go deep; which is exactly why you should listen to this one with your girlfriends. From mental health awareness to being vulnerable with those you trust and simply taking care of yourself, "Hey, Girl" isn't afraid to go full strong on heavy and light subjects. Grab your friends and tune in on Sundays.
Black Girls Talking
The "Black Girls Talking" podcast is pretty much a clone of you and your girlfriends' best group chats. When you put four African American women together (hosts Alesia, Fatima, Aurelia, and Ramou) who dish on everything from entertainment and celebrities to finding the perfect body scrub, you get none other than Black Girls Talking. They come from different areas of life and have a lot of unique, hilarious, and crazy perspectives to bring to the table thanks to their life experiences. The format is simple as their motto is, "We are here to talk." And you and your girlfriends should definitely be there to listen and spark conversations with each other. You can check out episodes on the "Black Girls Talking" Soundcloud.
Another Round
First off, did you know Buzzfeed once had a podcast for us Black girls? It. Was. Life. The "Another Round" podcast with Helen and Tracy is another fave for not just me, but one that I love to listen to with my friends. And just because it was once produced and owned by a predominantly mainstream company doesn't mean that these ladies weren't doing it for the culture. They didn't leave anything out in their episodes as they opened up about not just race but other major hot topics like gender. And if you're still a proud awkward black, girl, you'll be happy to know they also dish on bad jokes, mangoes, and squirrels. While the podcast has since gone on hiatus, you can still indulge in previous episodes. Take a look on buzzfeed.com/anotherround.
Food Heaven
Whether you're a diehard foodie or nah, it's safe to say many conversations with girlfriends can turn into a serious discussion about food and our best attempt to swap recipes. The "Food Heaven" podcast is a dope one because the hosts, Wendy and Jess, not only give recipe ideas and whatnot but also offer suggestions on how to live a healthy lifestyle without tossing out delicious food. Raise your hand if you're still trying to achieve this balance as you work on your fitness. Even though a podcast for foodies sounds amazing, these ladies go beyond that and talk about other major topics like going into business with a friend. New episodes come out on Wednesdays!
Switch, Pivot, Or Quit
How many times have you found yourself talking about career aspirations with your girlfriends? And vice versa? No matter what phase we are in life, it's no secret that we and our friends want to take level up. The "Switch, Pivot, or Quit" podcast gives tips of making a major career changes and/or quitting your job altogether. The host, Ahyiana Angel, can definitely speak from experience as she went from being a sports entertainment publicist to working as a published author and hosting a bomb podcast. Ahiyana, who has dubbed herself the Chief Encourager, can have you and your friends feeling right about your career and next steps. Tune in to her latest episodes on iTunes.
The Thick
Calling all girls with curves. The Thick is the podcast that us curvy girls have been needing for quite a while. Hosts plus-size model Tabria Majors and aspiring journalist Mindy J bring the laughs, the fashion and beauty tips, and of course the confidence and love of being thicker than a Snicker with their hilarious podcast. Since this one features two best friends, it only makes sense that you listen with yours. Don't be surprised if Mindy and Tabria become your BFFs in your head. Get in on the conversation and check out new episodes when they're released on Tuesdays.
MMHMM, GIRL
This one had me saying "yaass" before I even listened to it. And it, without a doubt, delivered on all of the expectations I had. The hosts Lola and Babz share their thoughts on pop culture, and of course love, sex, and relationships. They frequently have a glass of wine during their podcast so this one would be a great one for your next pizza and wine girls' night. Check out episodes on Acast and Stitcher. Sidebar: the producer of the podcast also released a new one called, "Amen, Praise God" earlier this year which is already getting quite the buzz around the internet. New episodes of this one premiere on Sundays.
Curls, Culture, Couture
It really doesn't get any better than these three topics that us women love. The hosts share their thoughts on beauty trends, entertainment stories, and fashion tips. The cool thing is they talk about their own experiences with their listeners as their main goal is to not just entertain but motivate, educate, and inspire. Don't be ashamed if you and your girlfriends find yourselves talking back to the show with your own thoughts and perspectives. The only downside is that the schedule is a little sporadic. You can catch up on previous episodes and listen to the new ones when they do air on the "Curls, Culture, Couture" iTunes channel.
The Happy Black Woman
Who doesn't want to be a happy Black woman? This podcast helps you and your friends reach this #goal. Host Rosetta Thurman's purpose is to inspire, motivate, and educate women with actionable item and steps on how to live your best life. While the journey of self-improvement and enhancement is a great one, what is it without sharing monumental moments with your close friends? Rosetta digs in deep with topics that help you and your friends reach your full potential, like tips on how to start a business, decluttering your life, and not settling for second best. Check out episodes on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify.
Friends Like Us
Picture you and your friends sharing your thoughts on the hilarious and most relevant celebrity news of the day. That's exactly what "Friends Like Us" is. The podcast speaks to every type of friend in any group of girlfriends. While each of the four hosts are different, their one thing in common is that they're all comediennes. They've all had appearances on pretty legit shows like Jimmy Kimmel, Last Comic Standing, and Jay Leno. It's not surprising already have a huge following after grinding for quite a while. But if you and your girlfriends have yet to check them out on Stitcher, go for it!
The Read
Ah, Kid Fury and Crissle are friend goals, OK? They pretty much say everything we're thinking and might be too afraid to say out loud, even when it comes to conversations with girlfriends. Their delivery of news and advice are complete with a bit of shade and tea. They literally come for everyone, except Beyonce and Blue Ivy. This is a great podcast if you and your girlfriends are looking for a bit of comedic relief. Don't get left behind and tune in to new episodes every Thursday on iTunes.
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Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
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Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
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