Session 363: Black Women’s Romantic Pursuits in the Media

Happy Juneteenth y’all and happy almost first day of summer. I hope this episode finds you enjoying a bit of a slower pace and plotting on some ways to enjoy the sunshine. I’ve been thinking a lot recently about some of the ways that we get in our own way and some of the things we do to make our lives more difficult than they need to be and wanted to share some of my thoughts with you. This list is in no way exhaustive and you know I’d love to hear what you would add. Tag us in a post @therapyforblackgirls or use the hashtag #TBGInSession to share your thoughts.  About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals. Join us in Atlanta on July 18th &19th for our Inaugural Therapist Summit. This is an incredible opportunity to gather to learn more about things like scaling your practice through PR and getting a book deal as a mental health professional. There will also be lots of time to connect with colleagues. Learn more and register to join us HERE. Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Producer: Ellice Ellis Production Assistant: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s easy to dismiss dating reality TV shows like Love Island and The Bachelor as trashy, guilty pleasure TV, but as we watch Black women contestants continuously get discarded by their male counterparts, chosen last if chosen at all, and edited in a way that promotes stereotypes, it can make the IRL pursuit of romance feel a lot more bleak.  Digging into this idea a little bit more with me today is Dr. Sarah Adeyinka-Skold. Dr. Sarah earned her sociology doctoral degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied how the processes of finding romantic partners with racial and gender inequality in the United States. She is also a licensed clinical social worker in three states. During our conversation, we chatted about viral dating show contestants like AD & Tiffany from Love is Blind, Paige from Married at First Sight, and how their stories — and the world’s reactions to them – reflect the real life woes that Black women face while trying to date in a society where we face both gender and racial discrimination. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Dr. Adeyinka-Skold Website Twitter LMU Profile   Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Producer: Ellice Ellis Production Assistant: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this week, we gave you a glimpse of some of the magic that happened this spring at our first-ever live event, Healing in Real Time. Well, we of course could not leave out the Q&A portion of the event, where you all sounded off via DM with your questions about maintaining digital boundaries, the balance between oversharing and telling your truth online, and yes, the etiquette of posting during a friend’s birthday. Today, you’ll hear me and my group chat – the brilliant Dr. Ayanna Abrams and Dr. Joy Beckwith – answer those questions, tapping into our shared expertise as licensed clinical psychologists.  About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.   Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guests Dr. Joy Beckwith Instagram Website Dr. Ayanna Abrams Instagram Website   Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Producer: Ellice Ellis Production Assistant: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this spring, we hosted our first-ever live podcast event at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, Georgia, Healing in Real Time. On that special night, in a room full of our loyal fans and supporters, we explored what it looks like to live healthy online and offline. I’m still so full from getting the chance to connect with so many of you. For those who couldn’t make it, we’ve recorded the conversation for you to enjoy from the comfort of your home.  My colleagues and friends, Dr. Ayanna Abrams and Dr. Joy Beckwith, joined me on stage to discuss what it looks like to set boundaries around what gets shared on social media, what happens when the IRL spills onto the web, and what to do when social media trends trigger old hurts. And that’s not all – we didn’t forget about the audience questions, they'll be released in a bonus episode later this week. So get ready, grab a snack, find somewhere comfy, and enjoy the show.  About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.   Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guests Dr. Joy Beckwith Instagram Website Dr. Ayanna Abrams Instagram Website   Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Producer: Ellice Ellis Production Assistant: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us were devastated in 2022 when MSNBC decided to cancel the Cross Connection, a news show that was one of a kind in choosing to prioritize the voices and stories of people of color. Since then, the show’s host, Tiffany D. Cross, has been relentless in her current efforts to tell the multigenerational stories of Black women on her latest podcast, ACross Generations. Tiffany is a journalist, TV host, podcast host, author, and speaker. During our conversation, we discussed what it means to feel as if you have to constantly center the white gaze to be successful, how to hold space for feelings of both grief and joy, and the importance of multigenerational mentorship for Black women of all ages. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Tiffany ACross Generations Podcast ACross Generations YouTube ACross Generations Instagram Instagram Twitter Facebook   Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Producer: Ellice Ellis Production Assistant: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congratulations, you’ve been accepted into the inaugural class of Therapy for Black Girls University. Whether packing for a new year on campus, thinking through your gap year, enrolling in a community college, or grabbing your stoles for graduation, TBG U is here to help you thrive at this stage of your life and beyond. Studying abroad can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a college student’s life, but there are soooo many things to consider when preparing to apply for a program – the financial costs, choosing a country to go to, and even knowing what program to apply for.  To provide advice and help synthesize all of the information that’s involved with studying abroad, I’m joined today by two guests – founder of the non-profit Girl’s Going Global, Martice Sutton, and Girl’s Going Global student ambassador, Rachel Jones. Girls Going Global is a non-profit organization designed to expose and empower African-American girls through travel and cultural exchange. In our conversation, we discuss what it means to travel abroad as a Black woman, some important safety tips to keep in mind when staying in a foreign country, and the importance of viewing study abroad as a chance for cultural immersion — rather than as a vacation. Where to Find Our Guests Rachel Jones Instagram Martice Sutton Website Instagram Facebook Twitter   HOMEWORK Begin researching what study abroad program you’d like to apply for, whether it be a volunteer, study, or work experience. Your college’s study abroad office is a great place to start! If you’ve already committed to a study abroad program, begin creating your packing list to make sure you aren’t leaving out any essentials! For safety, look into registering your study abroad trip with the US State Department, as well as starting a travel insurance policy.  Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram TikTok   Interested in being a part of a future TBG U episode or suggesting a topic for us to discuss, send us a note HERE.  Order a copy of Sisterhood Heals for you and your girls HERE.    Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Producer: Ellice Ellis Production Assistant: Zariah Taylor TBG University Host & Coordinator: Jayna EllisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a while since we had some time on the podcast to catch up on all things TV, Music, and Pop Culture and there is a lot to unpack. From the well-documented rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, to our queen Beyonce’s latest release of Cowboy Carter, not to mention the recent Met Gala, it was time to sit down and have another one of our fan-favorite producer chats. Joining me for today’s pop culture rundown is our Senior Producer, Ellice Ellis and Production Assistant, Zariah Taylor. We discuss all of the aforementioned topics, plus dive into some of my recent obsessions like the CW drama All American and this year’s WNBA boom. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Our Guests Ellice Ellis Instagram LinkedIn   Zariah Taylor Instagram LinkedIn   Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Producer: Ellice Ellis Production Assistant: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When I think about Black women’s humor, I think about the subtle glances we share when something ridiculous happens in public, the physicality of slapping each other on the back after a really good joke, or the ways in which you can always tell just how a girlfriend is feeling by looking at the expression on her face. Even when meeting a Black woman who is a complete stranger, we still find ways to connect over our shared sense of humor. To talk a little more about the subtle nuances of Black women’s humor, and why humor is so sacred to us, today we're joined by professor, researcher, and Black humor scholar, Dr. Erica-Brittany Horhn. During our conversation, we chat about what makes Black women so funny, how Black women have historically used humor to combat the psychological impacts of oppression, and the ways in which Black women’s humor is passed down generationally. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Dr. Horhn Instagram   Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Producer: Ellice Ellis Production Assistant: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After living through a global pandemic, missing years of in-person interaction, and dealing with the constant onslaught of violence displayed on social media, I think it’s safe to say that our kids are far from alright.  Joining me today to talk about some of the top concerns youth are facing when it comes to their mental health is fellow psychologist, Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble. A thought leader in her field, Dr. Alfiee focuses on mental health and suicide prevention for intersectional Youth and Young Adults of Color. She is a regular media contributor for outlets like The Grio, Today Show, The Breakfast Club, the New York Times, and others. During our conversation, we discuss the impact of racial trauma on youth mental health, how parents can monitor their child’s activity without invading their privacy, and strategies for cultivating an environment in which a child can express themselves freely. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Dr. Alfiee Dr. Alfiee’s Website AAKOMA Project Tiktok AAKOMA Project Instagram AAKOMA Project Facebook AAKOMA Project Website AAKOMA Project LinkedIn   Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Producer: Ellice Ellis Production Assistant: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Take a second to think of all the things in your life you’ve been told you “should” do. I should eat more healthy. I should be a better mom. I should have a partner. Now, imagine how much freer you could be by transforming those shoulds into cans, allowing you the ability to pursue your desires without shame. To talk with me today about why women should stop should-ing themselves is returning guest Dr. Melissa Robinson Brown. Dr. Mel is a licensed clinical psychologist, health & wellness enthusiast, and multi-passionate entrepreneur. During our conversation, we discussed how to notice when you’ve developed a pattern of should-ing on yourself or others, the importance of having a strong group of friends who can help you combat negative self-talk, and how parents can stop the cycle of “should-ing” by embracing grace and compassion. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. Resources & Announcements Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.   Where to Find Dr. Mel Website Instagram TikTok Coaching Waitlist   Stay Connected Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory. Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Producer: Ellice Ellis Production Assistant: Zariah TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.