The Black Girl Podcast -- Why You Should Take A Listen
What do you get when you get five hilariously funny black girls who all share Hot 97 work experience in a room with five different personalities, and five different life experiences? You get the Black Girl Podcast.
The Black Girl Podcast is a new audio series available for download on iTunes and was created by Scottie Beam (Digital producer for Ebro In The Morning), Gia Peppers (entertainment journalist/on-air host), Sapphira Martin (Chief curator at SassBoxx), Bex (Video production coordinator at Hot 97), and Alysha P. (Hot 97 video producer) who all met while crossing paths in the hallways of Hot 97.
The ladies just so happened to be discussing relationships in the lobby of the station one day when, Program Director and morning show host, Ebro Darden passed by and decided to Snapchat a video that said, "This is what it looks like to be in a room full of black women. This should be a black girl podcast."
A light bulb went off and the five ambitious women stepped into the studio for their first show shortly afterwards. Each week, subscribers can expect conversation topics that include everything from the presidency and heartbreak to goal-setting and whether or not Beyonce's Lemonade was really a good album.
With only a few episodes and a new president stepping into the office, we need the black girl podcast to win for the culture for a list of reasons:
To Remind Us To Follow Our Dreams
One of the podcast's hosts proudly announced that she was quitting her job to jump into full-time entrepreneurship. Some of the ladies celebrated, while others paused because they realized that this would mean that their five person crew would no longer be a five person crew. The response was a classic black girl response, but it also reminded us that sometimes you have to follow your dreams even if that means leaving your comfort zone and friends behind.
"It's about having balance...It's about knowing who to call and what friend to go to for certain advice. You have to realize it's about the journey, and (in) five years you are going to look back and say, 'I'm so happy it went like that.'"
- Alysha P.
To Encourage Us
In episode two, our new favorite podcast hosts delved into the question of if it is okay to share your dreams with others. While the opinion was split half and half, Gia Peppers response empowered us all by reminding us that if we don't share our dreams with others how will we ever be able to find people who can help us?
Church!!
To Remind Us of Why We're Magical
Listening to one episode of the Black Girl Podcast will probably have you laughing hysterically and also have you wondering which hosts closely align with you and your friends. While each woman represents a very distinct personality, the way the girls mesh together so effortlessly reminds us why black girls are so magical.
"We are here to dispel the stereotypes of what a black girl or black woman is. There are a lot of stereotypes but then there are also these great moments when people come together and we support each other. Black women need to support each other, be uplifting, and have intelligent conversations, so HERE WE ARE!"
- Gia Peppers
To Uplift Us
We have all gone through that moment in life where we have reflected on our life experiences and realized we are nowhere close to the place we had envisioned we would be by now. While coming to this realization can be depressing, the black girl podcast crew reminded us in episode one that we are exactly where we need to be and that we need to stop comparing our lives with someone else's highlight reel.
To Show Us The REAL Journey to Success
The thing that I loved most about the Black Girl Podcast is that prior to listening, I, like many others, felt each woman on the podcast had “arrived" in their careers when based on their discussion, they are just touching the tip of iceberg. Which reminds us all that everyone has a journey and success is never handed to you, it is earned.
Wishing much success to these five young ladies!
Never miss an episode by subscribing to the Black Girl Podcast on iTunes, Soundcloud or follow the girls on Instagram: Black Girl Pod
Have you had the chance to listen to the black girl podcast? Leave your comments below.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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If you’re like many other people who are prioritizing wellness these days, then attending a wellness retreat might be something to consider. Wellness retreats are a cool way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. I descended upon my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat, a couple of weeks ago at the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Zoëtry Agua is part of the Inclusive Collection for the World of Hyatt. It is nestled on a secluded part of Uvero Alto beach, which has crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with its thatched roofs and lazy rivers that make you feel like you’re in a cute little village.
Mindy, Body, + Sol Retreat was hosted by Koya Webb, holistic health and wellness coach and yoga instructor, and it also featured other wellness practitioners who combined provided the ultimate gift of relaxation and getting back to oneself.
The first night was a Welcome Dinner that featured a five-course meal and an opportunity to meet our companions for the next three days. The food was impeccable and the only downside was that I wasn’t able to finish it all. The next day, however, was the official start of the classes, and I was ready to dive in.
Aura and Chakra Reading
Aura and chakra reading
Photo courtesy
My first class was an aura and chakra reading led by Laura McCann and James Levinson, an Asheville, NC couple. I’ve had chakra readings before, but never like this. There was a computer, a camera, and a scanner, which I placed my hand on for the reading. After two minutes, I received a 15-page report explaining my aura and chakra reading.
It breaks down what the colors of your aura are and what your chakras say. My main colors were green and yellow, which were defined by a variety of things. The top of my aura was green, meaning I have a social mental state and I’m a natural healer. My aura on my left side was yellow meaning my energy flowing is optimistic and light and so on.
After James discussed the findings with me, I then met with Laura, who gave me aromatherapy oils from their ADORAtherapy line that represented each chakra. She further explained the results of my chakra reading and shared how each oil can assist. Chakras are the energy centers in our body, and there is a total of seven: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. All of my chakras were high except for my heart chakra, which I have since been working on. I may follow up about that in another article.
Sound Bath
Sound bath class
Photo courtesy
Next was the sound bath class. It was located in the spa, which was indoor/ outdoor and the perfect setting for this kind of experience. Andrew Francis and Carrie Bailey of Zenden Meditation were the co-pilots in transporting attendees into a place of tranquility. I laid down, closed my eyes, and allowed the sounds around me to bring me into a relaxing state. From the singing bowls to the wind chimes, I was in heaven. I even fell asleep and got some of the best rest I’ve had in a while. It was a beautiful experience. However, remember when I noted it was an indoor/ outdoor venue? I forgot to put on bug spray and woke up pretty itchy. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the moment.
Tea Party
Art of Tea Ritual Tea Party
Photo courtesy
The last event of the day was the Art of Tea Ritual located in the resort’s tea garden. It was everything you could want in a tea party. Delectable treats such as cookies, cakes, and white chocolate-covered strawberries, which are my fave. And, of course, tea. While I got to sip tea, I also got to make my own tea blend. There were many different teas to choose from, like hibiscus to your regular black tea. I decided to mix rose and mint and I called it RoseMint. I didn’t get to try my tea blend until I got home, and I’ll be honest, it’s probably the best tea I ever had. The tea herbs taste so fresh, and I love how fragrant it smells.
Breathwork
Breathwork Class
Photo Courtesy
The next morning was all about breathwork. If you exercise regularly, then you probably know the importance of breathing. But there’s more to it besides remembering to breathe during your workout. Margaret Townsend is a breathwork facilitator who helps people achieve wellness by consciously changing their breathing patterns. In her class, I learned to change my breathing pattern for energy as well as for relaxation. While I know that breathing is a relaxation tool, I was blown away to learn that it can also energize you. Because it was a different breathing pattern, I was also able to stay present and keep a steady pace.
Yoga
Koya Webb's yoga class
Photo courtesy
The final class of the retreat was evening yoga with Koya Webb, who, as I mentioned earlier, was the host. Her class was held beside the beautiful Uvero Alto beach, which made for a stunning backdrop and the perfect way to end the retreat. It was important for me to get back into my body after not doing yoga for a few weeks, so I was really focused on nailing the moves. However, Koya kept the energy light and fun, evening cracking a few jokes throughout, which made it easy for me to relax and enjoy the moment. She ended the class with a dance break and hugs from our classmates.
The Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat reminded me how important it is to take time to love on myself. Each class was an opportunity to be present and get reacquainted with oneself in the most loving way. Being surrounded by individuals who encouraged my journey was what I needed, and I am so honored to have had this experience.
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