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.
Featured image by Westend61/Getty Images
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So, we handpicked one hundred It Girls who embody that palpable It Factor moving through us as young Black women, the kind of motion lighting up the world both IRL and across the internet.
It Girl 100 became xoNecole’s most successful program, with the hashtag organically reaching more than forty million impressions on Instagram in just twenty-four hours. Yes, it caught on like wildfire because we celebrated some of the most brilliant and influential GenZennial women of color setting trends and shaping culture. But more than that, it resonated because the women we celebrated felt seen.
Many were already known in their industries for keeping this generation fly and lit, but rarely received recognition or flowers. It Girl 100 became a safe space to be uplifted, and for us as Black women to bask in what felt like an era of our brilliance, beauty, and boundless influence on full display.
And then, almost overnight, it was as if the rug was pulled from under us as Black women, as the It Girls of the world.
Our much-needed, much-deserved season of ease and soft living quickly metamorphosed into a time of self-preservation and survival. Our motion and economic progression seemed strategically slowed, our light under siege.
The air feels heavier now. The headlines colder. Our Black girl magic is being picked apart and politicized for simply existing.
With that climate shift, as we prepare to launch our second annual It Girl 100 honoree list, our team has had to dig deep on the purpose and intention behind this year’s list. Knowing the spirit of It Girl 100 is about motion, sauce, strides, and progression, how do we celebrate amid uncertainty and collective grief when the juice feels like it is being squeezed out of us?
As we wrestled with that question, we were reminded that this tension isn’t new. Black women have always had to find joy in the midst of struggle, to create light even in the darkest corners. We have carried the weight of scrutiny for generations, expected to be strong, to serve, to smile through the sting. But this moment feels different. It feels deeply personal.
We are living at the intersection of liberation and backlash. We are learning to take off our capes, to say no when we are tired, to embrace softness without apology.
And somehow, the world has found new ways to punish us for it.
In lifestyle, women like Kayla Nicole and Ayesha Curry have been ridiculed for daring to choose themselves. Tracee Ellis Ross was labeled bitter for speaking her truth about love. Meghan Markle, still, cannot breathe without critique.
In politics, Kamala Harris, Letitia James, and Jasmine Crockett are dragged through the mud for standing tall in rooms not built for them.
In sports, Angel Reese, Coco Gauff, and Taylor Townsend have been reminded that even excellence will not shield you from racism or judgment.
In business, visionaries like Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye and Melissa Butler are fighting to keep their dreams alive in an economy that too often forgets us first.
Even our icons, Beyoncé, Serena, and SZA, have faced criticism simply for evolving beyond the boxes society tried to keep them in.
From everyday women to cultural phenoms, the pattern is the same. Our light is being tested.
And yet, somehow, through it all, we are still showing up as that girl, and that deserves to be celebrated.
Because while the world debates our worth, we keep raising our value. And that proof is all around us.
This year alone, Naomi Osaka returned from motherhood and mental health challenges to reach the semifinals of the US Open. A’ja Wilson claimed another MVP, reminding us that beauty and dominance can coexist. Brandy and Monica are snatching our edges on tour. Kahlana Barfield Brown sold out her new line in the face of a retailer that had been canceled. And Melissa Butler’s company, The Lip Bar, is projecting a forty percent surge in sales.
We are no longer defining strength by how much pain we can endure. We are defining it by the unbreakable light we continue to radiate.
We are the women walking our daily steps and also continuing to run solid businesses. We are growing in love, taking solo trips, laughing until it hurts, raising babies and ideas, drinking our green juice, and praying our peace back into existence.
We are rediscovering the joy of rest and realizing that softness is not weakness, it is strategy.
And through it all, we continue to lift one another. Emma Grede is creating seats at the table. Valeisha Butterfield has started a fund for jobless Black women. Arian Simone is leading in media with fearless conviction. We are pouring into each other in ways the world rarely sees but always feels.
So yes, we are in the midst of societal warfare. Yes, we are being tested. Yes, we are facing economic strain, political targeting, and public scrutiny. But even war cannot dim a light that is divinely ours.
And we are still shining.
And we are still softening.
And we are still creating.
And we are still It.
That is the quiet magic of Black womanhood, our ability to hold both truth and triumph in the same breath, to say yes, and to life’s contradictions.
It is no coincidence that this year, as SheaMoisture embraces the message “Yes, And,” they stand beside us as partners in celebrating this class of It Girls. Because that phrase, those two simple words, capture the very essence of this moment.
Yes, we are tired. And we are still rising.
Yes, we are questioned. And we are the answer.
Yes, we are bruised. And we are still beautiful.
This year’s It Girl 100 is more than a list. It is a love letter to every Black woman who dares to live out loud in a world that would rather she whisper. This year’s class is living proof of “Yes, And,” women who are finding ways to thrive and to heal, to build and to rest, to lead and to love, all at once.
It is proof that our joy is not naive, our success not accidental. It is the reminder that our light has never needed permission.
So without further ado, we celebrate the It Girl 100 Class of 2025–2026.
We celebrate the millions of us who keep doing it with grace, grit, and glory.
Because despite it all, we still shine.
Because we are still her.
Because we are still IT, girl.
Meet all 100 women shaping culture in the It Girl 100 Class of 2025. View the complete list of honorees here.
Featured image by xoStaff
