Can you take a moment for all the mamas? If you've ever had the privilege of watching a mother in action, you would be amazed by her ability to handle business and multi-task responsibilities; all while making it look effortless. Still, with moms having their fair share to balance their households, relationships, and work life, it’s important for mothers to take small moments during the day to fill their cups up.
Taking a moment for yourself not only helps you to recharge your mommy battery but can also benefit your family in the long run — because we know that when mama is happy, the home is happy. Creating these moments doesn’t have to be as elaborate as a spa day, in fact, taking your mind off things can be as easy as listening to a podcast.
As a mom, listening to podcasts can hit the sweet spot between being entertained and supported, while having audio homegirls to keep you company throughout your busy day. Moms often have a lot on their plate and may not have all the time to sit down, read a book, or watch a TV show. However, podcasts offer the flexibility to listen in on your favorite topics while tending to other more important duties.
Whether you’re a new mom, single mom, or veteran mother in this game of parenthood, you deserve to have access to support and an online community. Listening to podcasts can do the job of helping you feel more connected, gain new insights on a variety of topics, and allow you to feel seen, even on your toughest days.
While every mother’s journey is different, it’s important to feel supported, even if it’s just through a couple of internet friends you’ve adopted into your family. So to help, we’ve put together a list of the best podcasts for moms to stay informed, connected, and inspired while managing their busy lives.
1.Moms Actually
Moms Actually
If you're looking for a podcast that provides real, relatable perspectives on motherhood, sisterhood, and womanhood, Moms Actually is the perfect show for you. Hosts Blair Gyamfi, Sopha Rush, and Morgan Taylor discuss their personal experiences with parenting and offer candid insights into the challenges and joys of raising children. This podcast provides a fun and safe space for mothers to come together and support each other.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Music.2.The Suga
The Suga
Join actress Tika Sumpter and HartBeat CEO Thai Randolph, for laughs, new learnings, and candid convos around the joys of motherhood and sisterhood. It’s the sweet spot for Black mothers to share their experiences and gain insight from their favorite celebs like Sheryl Lee Ralph, Mara Brock Akil, Kyla Pratt, Tia Mowry, and more.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Music.
3.Motherhood in Black & White
Motherhood in Black & White
Hosted by Gen X moms, Kaanji Irby and Tara Campbell, this duo provides a unique perspective on motherhood from their diverse backgrounds and shared experiences. Their honest, empathetic, and humorous discussion is a great way to tap into real conversations about life, motherhood, and everything in between.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Music.
4.Experiencing Motherhood: Single & Black
Experiencing Motherhood: Single & Black
Tune into Experiencing Motherhood: Single & Black if you’re looking for a real and vulnerable space to discuss the unique challenges and joys of single parenting. Hosted by Kim Wiliams, you can benefit from Kim's personal experiences as a single mom, as well as her practical tips and insights on raising children alone.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Music.
5.Good Moms Bad Choices
Good Moms Bad Choices
Meet your new internet besties, Erica and Milah. For years these two provided a space for uncensored and candid conversations about parents, life, and everything in between. Whether you feel like you’ve made “good” or “bad” choices along your journey, the Good Moms Bad Choices podcast is the judgment-free zone you’ve been looking for.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Music.
6.Motherhood Sessions
Motherhood Sessions
Tap into the Gimlet Media's Motherhood Sessions if you're looking for emotionally honest conversations about the profound identity shift that accompanies becoming a mother, a topic that is often overlooked in mainstream media. Hosted by reproductive psychiatrist, Dr. Alexandra Sacks, you’ll get a range of topics for mothers to discuss their biggest struggles and questions, from career uncertainty to sex to ambivalence about motherhood, with the science to back it up!
Listen on Spotify.
7.Parenting for the Culture
Parenting for the Culture
If you want to raise confident, successful, and happy children who shape the future, the Parenting for the Culture podcast is for you. As a PBS Early Learning Champion and mother of six, host Charisse Sims takes a spin on modern parenting advice with an educational lens, providing you with a unique roadmap to parenting that you won't find in typical parenting spaces. Tap in!
Listen on Spotify and Apple Music.
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
Serena Williams Hits Back At Skin-Bleaching Accusations: 'I’m A Dark, Black Woman, And I Love Who I Am'
Serena Williams is clapping back at skin-bleaching accusations. During a makeup tutorial for her beauty brand, Wyn Beauty, the tennis legend took the opportunity to address the "haters."
“And then I put just that neutral color, that is actually my skin color, and no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin,” she said. “There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors.”
The rumors started after the mom of two posted a video of herself and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, at their daughter's school play. In the video, she appeared to look a few shades lighter. During her response, she revealed that she was volunteering at the play and wore stage makeup.
“Yes, I’m calling you out on this because it is ridiculous that everyone’s like, ‘Oh, she bleached her skin,’" she said. "I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look and that's just not my thing.”
The 23-time Grand Slam champion also said that she doesn't judge anyone who bleaches their skin as she "stays in my lane."
Serena has always had style on and off the court, and even collaborated with Nike with her own collection Serena Williams Design Crew. However, the tennis champ has now pivoted into beauty.
Wyn Beauty was launched in April 2024 with at 10-piece collection of lip, eye, and complexion products. The brand was inspired by Serena's time on the court and the packaging is reminiscent of a tennis ball due to its chartreuse color.
“Throughout my career, I was always searching for makeup that looked good after hours on the court, mixing products myself and creating my own formulas while traveling the world,” she said in a statement. As she continues to make a name for herself in the beauty industry, I'm sure we will see a lot more looks from the tennis star.
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Feature image by Marc Piasecki/WireImage