

10 Black Podcasters Keeping You Learning, Laughing & Glowing Up
It seems like when you search for a good podcast, there are millions to choose from, and sifting through them all can be overwhelming and exhausting. There's something there for everyone, from music to politics to history to comedy to late-night raunchy. Well, if you want to get a good start of a few worth checking out, we got it for you. Check out 10 podcasts that uplift, inspire, inform and empower:
Passing Through Podcast
1. STORYTELLING: Passing Through
Nneka Julia's Instagram page gives enough clues as to why you'd want to know more from just one glimpse of something. Her photos from her off-the-beaten-path travels around the world---from Oracabessa, Jamaica to Abua, Nigeria to Havana Cuba, to Siem Reap Province, Cambodia---have allure and mystique that she further excites via the captions. So it's no surprise that her podcast would do the same, offering clever storytelling and intriguing nuggets of wisdom.
2. POLITICS: Code Switch
If you want to hear discussions from super-smart journalists about race and current events, this is a good one. What's great about this is that it includes both female and male perspectives and puts things in a historical context so that you'll feel like you've been schooled after every episode. One recent episode about the agitators within protests had me rethinking my opinions about the moving parts of a successful activist movement.
Therapy For Black Girls The Podcast
3. MENTAL HEALTH: Therapy for Black Girls
This isn't your usual chat about mental health and therapy. This podcast makes the subjects less taboo and more relatable. Hosted by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist and speaker, the podcast covers hot topics like Insecure's inclusion of Molly's pursuit of therapy, managing anxiety related to COVID-19, coping with workplace stress, and how to talk to your children about race.
4. BOSS MOVES: Side Hustle Pro
Nicaila Matthews Okome features candid conversations with women entrepreneurs, and past guests have included Myleik Teele of CurlBox, Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter, and Nicole Walters of The Monetized Life. The show promotes the impact of small steps that lead to big results, whether in launching that new idea, business or upgraded life.
Sip On This
5. WORK: Sip on This
Ashley Nicole Black, an actress, comedian, and writer, is that breath-of-fresh-air coworker at the new job who actually tells you why you shouldn't ask too many questions at the first staff meeting and point out who will actually answer your emails. She covers topics like how to channel anger, find work-life balance and survive struggle jobs. Yeah, thank me later sis.
6. CULTURE: The Read
If you don't know by the title what you're in for, you might want to go ahead and consult your urban dictionary and then review the expiration date on your Black Card. Veteran blogger Kid Fury and co-host Crissle give us real talk and raw opinions on every day issues like responding to cities opening back up, celebrity Internet beefs, and the prevalence of white privilege violations. These two would make any salon, coffee shop, bar lounge or barbershop visit a treat because this is the type of when-keeping-it-real-goes-right that makes any conversation that much more enjoyable.
Identity Politics
7. CULTURE: Identity Politics
Ikhlas Saleem and Makkah Ali talk race, gender and life as Muslims in America in a way that not only invites understanding but puts them among the ranks of friends in your head. (Am I the only one who does that? Wendy Williams, Tracee Ellis Ross, Shioni Turini, and Janelle Monae are on that list, too, but I digress). Whether you share their faith or not, you'll find so many similar issues to evoke "Yasss, sis," that you won't want to stop listening once the episodes are done.
8. TRAVEL: Let's Go Together
Pilot and explorer Kellee Edwards talks with guests about what their travel experiences have taught them about life, people, purpose, and choices. Kellee has traveled to more than 50 countries herself, built a huge following on YouTube before joining the team at The Travel Channel and has redefined what it means to be a black traveler. This podcast just launched June 10, but if it's anything like her previous shows, you won't want to miss it.
Brown Vegan
9. HEALTH & WELLNESS: Brown Vegan
Monique Koch, a vegan family coach, shares how to transition into a healthy lifestyle, and even if you're still not too sure about cutting your favorite jerk pork or fried chicken from your diet, you'll find more information from featured guests about the specific health benefits of using essential oils, incorporating adjustments for fitness goals, or adding more interesting seasonal veggies to your meals.
10. SEX & LOVE: Whoreable Decisions
Anytime you hear the words "one night stand", "on her face", "got a rash", and "parasites" in the same sentence, you know it's going to be an interesting night. This is definitely NSFW, but once you get a private moment and hear hosts Mandii B and WeezyWTF break down the tea and crumpets on trending news, celebrity shenanigans, girl-did-you-know wise cracks, and issues of sex and love that raise more than an eyebrow.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here to receive our latest articles and news straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Shutterstock
- 14 Podcasts You Should Listen to With Your Girlfriends - xoNecole ... ›
- Doing The Work Helped This Podcaster Surpass 2.5 Million ... ›
- 12 Must-Listen Podcasts For Women Who Want To Glow Up ... ›
- Here Are 11 Black Female-Led Podcasts You Should Be Listening To ›
- Therapy For Black Girls' Dr. Joy - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
Black women are not a monolith. We all are deserving of healing and wholeness despite what we've been through, how much money we have in the bank, or what we look like. Most importantly, we are enough—even when we are not working, earning, or serving.
Welcome to Black Girl Whole, your space to find the wellness routine that aligns with you! This brand-new marketplace by xoNecole is a safe space for Black women to activate their healing, find the inspiration to rest, and receive reassurance that we are one small act away from finding our happiness.
Want to discover where you are on your wellness journey? You don't have to look far. In partnership with European Wax Center, we're bringing you a customized wellness quiz to help you up your wellness game. Answer our short series of questions to figure out which type of wellness lover you are, what you need to bring more balance into your life, and then go deeper by shopping products geared towards clearing your mind, healing your body, and soothing your spirit.
Ready to get whole? Take our quiz now!
Issa Rae Explains Why She’s Happy Her Success Came Later In Life
Actress, writer, and producer Issa Rae highlights the advantages of achieving success and fame later in life and showcases how the timing has uniquely enriched her journey.
The 38-year-old, who has been involved in the entertainment industry for over a decade, captivated fans' hearts in 2011 with her comedy web series The Misadventures of AWKWARD Black Girl, which she created and starred in. Although the series and the book of the same name earned Rae recognition, the star's career would elevate to new heights in 2016 with the release of her hit HBO series Insecure.
The show lasted for five seasons and ended in 2021. Since then, Rae has starred in countless films, including Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the live-action Barbie, which has generated $1 billion at the box office, and created another HBO series Rap Sh!t.
In a resurfaced Masterclass video, Rae revealed why she was grateful that her accomplishments in the entertainment industry happened when she turned 30 while uplifting others still attempting to accomplish their goals by sharing stories of different celebrities who have succeeded at an older age.
Issa Rae On Why She Feels It's Never Too Late To Become Successful
In the clip shared on Masterclass' official Instagram page in July, The Photograph star disclosed that there is no timeline to start working on a particular goal.
Rae added that she felt that way because of the stories she heard of individuals, including actor Morgan Freeman and director Ava Duvernay, learning more about their craft and pursuing that career later in life.
"I don't think it's ever too late to get started. There's too many stories of people learning and getting their opportunities later," she said. "People like Morgan Freeman, who started late, and I think about Ava, who didn't pick up a camera until her mid-30s."
Issa Rae On Achieving Success In Her 30s
Further, into the conversation, Rae shared that she was "thankful" that her show Insecure was "greenlit" when she was 30 because she would have negatively impacted the experience.
"My show didn't get greenlit until I was 30. I'm thankful for that. Because I always say if I had started to pop in my early 20s, I would be out here hoeing," she stated.
Rae wrapped up the discussion by reminding her fans that although they too may be in the same situation, they shouldn't let that moment define who they are.
"So maybe it's good that you're popping later. You're more mature, and this doesn't define you," she said. "[It] doesn't define who you are, and I do feel I have more sense of self because I started later. Because I knew I really wanted to do this."
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Shipt