INvisible Women Podcast

In this empowering episode of the INvisible Women Podcast, host Melody and Monica sits down with award-winning writer, activist, and creator of The Great Exhale, Lisa Hurley. As we close out Autism Awareness Month, Lisa opens up about her lived experience as a Black autistic woman, the daily exhaustion of navigating professional spaces not built for her, and why she created digital sanctuaries where Black women can finally breathe. Lisa is creating a movement where Black women are unapologetically taking off the “Strong Black Woman” capes and stepping boldly into a new era—the Soft Life Era—one rooted in rest, restoration, and radical self-honoring.Lisa’s upcoming book, Space to Exhale: A Handbook for Curating a Soft, Centered, Serene Life, is more than a wellness guide—it’s a lifeline for those tired of hustle culture, unspoken expectations, and masking exhaustion behind competence.In this episode, she speaks truth to the pressure Black women face to “perform strength” while rarely receiving support in return.✨ This episode is for you if you’ve ever felt:Tired of doing it all while being seen as “too much” or “not enough”Overstimulated by environments that ignore your needsPressured to smile through pain or prove your struggle to be believedExhausted from being strong when what you really need is restWe talk rest as resistance, softness as survival, and why Lisa believes Black women deserve to exhale—without apology.🎧 Tune in now and be part of the conversation.📘 Pre-order Space to Exhale at spacetoexhalebook.com

In this powerful episode of INvisible Women, hosts Monica and Melody sit down with LaQuenta Jacobs—executive leader, inclusion strategist, and heart health survivor—for a deeply personal and urgent conversation on the intersections of Black womanhood, wellness, and the fight for visibility in healthcare.LaQuenta shares her extraordinary journey from heart failure to healing, walking us through the life-altering diagnosis that changed her forever. Through vulnerability and clarity, she unpacks how faith, resilience, and community care carried her through one of the most difficult chapters of her life.Together, we explore the often-ignored epidemic of heart disease among Black women, the impact of systemic medical bias, and the dangerous myth of the "strong Black woman" that keeps so many of us suffering in silence. LaQuenta challenges us to redefine self-care—not as indulgence, but as a radical act of survival and self-love.This episode doesn’t just speak to the heart—it speaks for it.LaQuenta leaves listeners with a powerful reminder: “You are worthy of rest. You are worthy of joy. And you are worthy of abundance and not just survival. You DESERVE it!!!”Bold, healing, and deeply necessary—this episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to health equity, advocacy, and honoring the lives of Black women.🎧 Tune in now and be part of the conversation.

In this powerful episode of Invisible Women, hosts Monica and Melody sit down with Erica Shoemate—The Policy Goddess—for a deep dive into AI, national security, and the realities of being a Black woman in leadership. From her beginnings in inner-city Memphis to shaping policies in tech and cybersecurity, Erica shares the resilience, strategy, and purpose that fuel her work.This conversation unpacks the challenges of navigating predominantly white spaces, the mental toll of professional expectations, and the double-edged sword of loyalty for Black women in the workplace. Erica also explores the transformative potential of AI—how it can amplify marginalized voices if built with cultural awareness and accountability at its core.With tech evolving at breakneck speed, Erica asks the tough questions: Who controls innovation? How do we hold the industry accountable? And how can we ensure technology serves the people, not just profit?Bold, urgent, and unapologetic—this episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in diversity, equity, and the future of tech.🎧 Tune in now and be part of the conversation.

Welcome to a brand-new season of the Invisible Women Podcast! Hosts Melody and Monica are back, reintroducing the mission, purpose, and power behind this platform. As Black women navigating leadership, entrepreneurship, and corporate spaces, they reflect on their personal and professional journeys—why they started this podcast, how it has evolved, and why the mission of celebrating and empowering Black women is more relevant than ever in 2025.This episode sets the tone for the season, reaffirming their message:"We are resilient. We are culture. We are visible and valued!"What to Expect in This Episode:The Journey So Far – Melody and Monica share the inspiration behind Invisible Women and how their experiences continue to shape the podcast.The Power of Visibility – A deep dive into what it truly means for Black women to be seen, heard, and valued in today’s world.Lessons from 2024 – Personal reflections on growth, challenges, and the importance of reclaiming time, confidence, and purpose.What’s Ahead in 2025 – Bold conversations, game-changing guests, and topics that matter—mental health, leadership, entrepreneurship, and breaking barriers.A Call to Action – This year is about reclaiming power. Melody and Monica encourage listeners to set their own intentions for 2025, step into their greatness, and remember that they are not alone on this journey.This season is all about elevation, empowerment, and making sure that Black women are never invisible.🎧 Tune in now! Let’s reclaim our time, confidence, and power—together.

SummaryIn this episode, host, Melody and Monica discuss the excitement and hope surrounding Kamala Harris's nomination as the Democratic vice presidential candidate. They highlight the importance of representation and the need for black women to be seen in leadership roles. They also address the challenges and criticisms that Kamala Harris faces, including racism and sexism. The conversation emphasizes the significance of using one's voice and vote to support candidates who align with their values and will work towards positive change.Takeaways- Representation matters, and Kamala Harris's nomination as the Democratic vice presidential candidate is a significant step towards normalizing black women in leadership roles.- Black women face unique challenges, including racism and sexism, and it is important to support and uplift them in their pursuit of political office.- It is crucial to do thorough research and fact-checking to combat misinformation and make informed decisions when voting.- Black women's issues, such as equal pay and housing insecurity, need to be addressed and improved upon.- Using one's voice and vote is essential in advocating for change and holding elected officials accountable.Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full podcast videos @ HNTT PRODUCTIONS!Subscribe to our podcast to receive alerts as we drop new episodes on Spotify and Apple podcasts!Please rate our podcast and leave us a review!

SummaryIn this episode of the Invisible Women podcast, host Monica and Melody interview Corryn G. Freeman, the executive director of Future Coalition. They discuss the work of Future Coalition in supporting and empowering young change makers and change agents. They provide financial support through grants and offer fiscal sponsorship to organizations. They also discuss the importance of youth leadership in social change and the need for strong movements led by young people. The conversation also touches on the 2024 civic engagement strategy of Future Coalition, the impact of Governor Ron DeSantis on education in Florida, and Corryn's background in political science and organizing. In this conversation, Corryn G. Freeman discusses the importance of political engagement and activism, particularly for young people. She emphasizes the need for individuals to find their passion and join communities that share their interests. Corryn also highlights the significance of local elections and encourages listeners to research candidates and vote down the ticket. Additionally, she shares her work with the Black Violin Foundation, which aims to provide access to classical arts education for BIPOC youth.Takeaways-Future Coalition provides financial support and resources to young change makers and change agents.-Youth leadership is crucial in driving social change and creating strong movements.-The 2024 civic engagement strategy of Future Coalition focuses on supporting school board candidates and down ballot races.-Governor Ron DeSantis has implemented policies that negatively impact education in Florida.-Corryn G. Freeman has a background in political science and organizing, and her passion for social change was influenced by her upbringing. Find your passion and join communities that share your interests-Research candidates and vote down the ticket in local elections-Advocate for access to classical arts education for BIPOC youth-Engage in political activism to create positive changehttps://futurecoalition.org/about/Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full podcast videos @ HNTT PRODUCTIONS!Subscribe to our podcast to receive alerts as we drop new episodes on Spotify and Apple podcasts!Please rate our podcast and leave us a review!

SummaryIn this episode, the hosts are joined by Iam_Z.Singleton on YouTube and IG to discuss various topics related to black women. They talk about Z's podcast and her journey as a podcaster. They also discuss the importance of awareness and acceptance among black women. The conversation then shifts to the topic of equal pay in women's sports, specifically focusing on Angel Reese's salary in the WNBA. They explore the challenges faced by black women in terms of pay equality and the need for women to advocate for themselves. The hosts also discuss Ashanti & Nelly's baby news and the trend of women waiting until later in life to become mothers and the importance of self-care. The conversation covers various topics related to pregnancy, motherhood, and self-care. The hosts and guest discuss the importance of taking time for oneself and establishing a strong foundation before starting a family. They also touch on the challenges and fears that come with pregnancy, including the risk of complications and the need for proper education and support. The conversation emphasizes the power of women in making choices about their reproductive health and the importance of advocating for oneself in healthcare settings. Overall, the discussion highlights the diverse experiences and perspectives of women when it comes to motherhood. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the importance of protecting black children and the need for appropriate police tactics. They also share their self-care practices and recommend books and movies. The conversation ends with a reminder that all women are worth it.Takeaways- Podcasting can be a powerful platform for raising awareness and sharing stories.- Black women face challenges in terms of pay equality in various industries, including sports.- Women are choosing to wait until later in life to become mothers in order to pursue their careers and personal goals.- Self-care is important for maintaining overall well-being and should be prioritized. Taking time for self-care and establishing a strong foundation before starting a family is important.- Pregnancy can come with challenges and fears, and it is crucial to have proper education and support.- Women have the power to make choices about their reproductive health and should advocate for themselves in healthcare settings.- Motherhood is a diverse experience, and each woman's journey is unique. Protecting black children is crucial in a society that often treats them unfairly.- Appropriate police tactics and communication are necessary when dealing with children.- Self-care practices, such as reading and exercise, are important for mental and physical well-being.- Recommendations for books and movies can provide entertainment and education.- All women are worth it and should embrace vulnerability.Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full podcast videos @ HNTT PRODUCTIONS!Subscribe to our podcast to receive alerts as we drop new episodes on Spotify and Apple podcasts!Please rate our podcast and leave us a review!

Monica and Melody discuss their experience at the Your First Million Live 2024 event in LA. They talk about the importance of networking and surrounding yourself with mentors to level up in business. They also discuss the value of working with people who don't necessarily look like you and the benefits of branching out. The conversation takes a turn when Monica shares her allergic reaction during the event and her trip to the emergency room. They emphasize the importance of teamwork and adaptability in entrepreneurship. They conclude by expressing gratitude for the event and its organizer, Arlan Hamilton.Subscribe to our HNTT PRODUCTIONS Youtube channel for full podcast video!

SummaryShay Battle, the creator of Black Women's History Month, shares the story behind the initiative and her aspirations for its future. She started by creating a dating website called Chocolate Cougar and later founded Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Month. While researching black women to feature for an award show, she realized the need to celebrate and recognize the contributions of black women in history. She decided to create Black Women's History Month and made April the designated month. Shay hopes that the celebration of black women's history will become a universal law in every state and be appreciated and celebrated worldwide.KeywordsBlack Women's History Month, Shay Battle, dating website, Chocolate Cougar, Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Month, black women's contributions, universal law, appreciation, celebrationTakeaways-Shay Battle created Black Women's History Month to celebrate and recognize the contributions of black women in history.-She hopes that Black Women's History Month will become a universal law in every state and be celebrated worldwide.-Shay encourages individuals to advocate for April being Black Women's History Month in their own states and complete proclamations or commendations.-The goal is to honor and support black women and ensure they receive the recognition they deserve.www.blackwomenshistorymonth.com Please subscribe to our YouTube channel for full podcast videos @ HNTT Productions

SummaryIn this conversation, Monica and Melody interview Robin Rue Simmons, the founder of First Repair, about her work in implementing a reparations program in Evanston, Illinois. They discuss the motivation behind her interest in politics and reparations, the discrimination and barriers faced by Black communities in housing and business, and the need for comprehensive reparations that address the legacies of slavery and systemic racism. Robin shares insights on how to initiate a reparations task force in a city, the importance of community involvement, and the impact of reparations on the Evanston community. She emphasizes the need for a federal response to reparations and the role of allies in supporting the movement.Takeaways- Reparations should address the legacies of slavery and systemic racism, including housing and business discrimination and barriers faced by Black communities.- Initiating a reparations task force requires a strong legislative leader, stakeholder engagement, and a case for reparations specific to the locality.- Reparations programs can provide hope, a sense of place, and a voice to Black communities, leading to increased community engagement and support.- Comprehensive reparations should include cash, housing, education, policy reform, and self-determination initiatives.- A federal response to reparations is necessary to achieve full repair, but localities can take action within their purview to address anti-Black practices.- Reparations can contribute to closing the racial wealth gap and create opportunities for Black individuals and families to thrive.Websites mentioned during todays podcast:https://firstrepair.org/https://www.bigpaybackmovie.com/