Too many women are told that painful periods, heavy bleeding, and exhaustion are “just part of being a woman.” They’re not. In this episode, Dr. Kameelah Phillips, OBGYN and author of The Empowered Hysterectomy, breaks down the truth about fibroids, hysterectomies, and perimenopause—and why informed choices matter for every woman’s health.

Dr. Phillips shares why nearly 80% of Black women will experience fibroids by age 50, how medical gaslighting keeps too many of us suffering in silence, and what real informed consent should look like in the exam room. With honesty and humor, she also opens up about her own journey through perimenopause, the power of hormone therapy, and why even world-class athletes like Serena Williams aren’t immune from poor medical advice.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognize the overlooked signs of fibroids (beyond heavy bleeding)
• Alternatives to hysterectomy: from hormonal therapies to minimally invasive procedures
• What perimenopause really is (and why it can last up to 10 years)
• How hormone therapy works, who it helps, and where plant-based supports fit in
• Practical ways to advocate for yourself and push back against medical gaslighting

Resources & Links

• CLICK to PURCHASE The Empowered Hysterectomy by Dr. Kameelah Phillips
• Follow Dr. Phillips on Instagram: @DrKameelahSays
• Learn more at Cala Women’s Health, NYC

Want more? I share unfiltered reflections, bonus wellness tools, and behind-the-scenes stories from Be Well, Sis on my Substack. Come hang out there →Bewellsis.substack.com

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. This episode was edited by Victoria Marin. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grammy-nominated harpist Brandee Younger reminds us that joy isn’t a luxury—it’s survival. In this episode, we dive into her latest project Gadabout Season, the realities of life on tour, and the intentional ways she’s learned to rest and replenish.

We also get real about navigating fibroids, the body’s quiet signals of exhaustion, and how art can be both medicine and resistance. From savoring good food to embracing naps and stillness, Brandee shares the everyday practices that keep her grounded—and how joy itself can be a radical act of healing.

Whether you’re an artist, wellness seeker, or just trying to find peace in the middle of chaos, this conversation will remind you to slow down, listen to your body, and claim joy in the small moments.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The inspiration behind Gadabout Season and what it taught her about slowing down
• How touring impacts the body, mind, and spirit
• Living with and talking about fibroids
• The small but powerful rituals that restore joy

📌 Resources & Links

• Connect with Brandee at brandeeyounger.com
• Follow her on Instagram: @harpista
• Stream/Buy Gadabout Season wherever you listen to music

💌 If this episode resonated with you, join my Substack community where I share more reflections, wellness insights, and behind-the-scenes conversations.

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. This episode was edited by Victoria Marin. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s the start of a new school year so we thought we’d reshare this essential episode, in case you missed it!

We’re joined by Dr. Chinwe Williams, a licensed professional counselor, to explore the nuanced landscape of children's and adolescents' mental health. Dr. Williams breaks down how today's unique challenges – from digital overwhelm to academic pressures – are shaping our youth's mental well-being. Through practical insights and professional expertise, she guides us through recognizing the early signs of mental health struggles while offering tangible strategies for creating supportive, nurturing environments where our children can thrive.

Episode Takeaways:

• Your child's irritability and anger might be signs of deeper mental health struggles, not just typical teen behavior
• Today's kids navigate unique mental health challenges from their digital lives and academic pressures
• Resilience can be taught and strengthened through intentional parenting strategies
• When parents prioritize their own mental wellness, they show their children what healthy coping looks like
• Strong emotional bonds between parents and children create the safety net needed for mental wellness

Relevant links:

Connect with Dr. Chinwe on Instagram and visit her website!

Connect with me on socials- join the Be Well,Sis tribe on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube , and subscribe to the newsletter or buy me a coffee!

If this episode resonated with you- share with a friend!

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo episode, I’m wrapping up our Summer of Joy series with personal reflections, wellness updates, and what’s been inspiring me lately. From navigating heavy world events to rediscovering my gym groove, tending my garden, and diving into some incredible reads, I’m sharing the everyday joys that have been keeping me grounded.

Plus, I’m inviting you to join the conversation over on my Substack — whether you want to contribute your own reflections or simply read along.

On My Radar:

• Solo Travel with Tracee Ellis Ross (Roku) — joyful, soulful solo adventures
• Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle — a sweet, quick read for light escape
• Living in Wisdom by Devi Brown — reflections on authenticity and healing
• No Holes Barred by Mandii B & Weezy — bold, unapologetic storytelling
• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer — on reciprocity and gratitude

Want more? I share unfiltered reflections, bonus wellness tools, and behind-the-scenes stories from Be Well, Sis on my Substack. Come hang out there →Bewellsis.substack.com

Resources & Links

• Browse every book mentioned: My bookshop.org/bewellsis storefront (Affiliate Disclosure: As a Bookshop.org affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through the links provided. Every purchase also supports local independent bookstores)

Follow Be Well, Sis on Instagram: @bewellsis_podcast

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When ambition meets authenticity, everything changes.

In this episode, I’m joined by writer, former attorney, and media strategist Faye McCray for a conversation about career pivots, parenting, and finding yourself beyond the grind. We talk about navigating predominantly white spaces, raising kids with intention, and why authenticity (not hustle) should be our measure of success.

Faye also shares her journey from law to media and consulting, how storytelling can build true connection, and the boundaries that help her protect her peace. If you’ve been rethinking your career path, craving more balance, or just wanting to feel more like yourself in every space you occupy, this one’s for you.

In this episode we discussed:

• Your career path doesn’t have to be linear to be successful.
• Connection and empathy are essential in both life and business.
• Parenting is a lesson in flexibility, patience, and introspection.
• Boundaries protect your energy and purpose.
• Authenticity is the new measure of success.

Want more? I share unfiltered reflections, bonus wellness tools, and behind-the-scenes stories from Be Well, Sis on my Substack. Come hang out there →Bewellsis.substack.com

Resources & Links

• Connect with Faye McCray on Instagram: @heyfayemccray
• Read her newsletter https://whatifitallworksout.substack.com/
• Learn more about her work: fayemccray.com

Follow Be Well, Sis on Instagram: @bewellsis_podcast

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your authentic self isn’t found- it’s created moment by moment.

What does it really mean to live authentically beyond the social media buzzwords? In this episode, wellness educator and author Devi Brown joins me to explore the lifelong work of becoming your truest self.

We talk about:

• Why “authenticity” is more than a social media trend
• How to hold joy and grief in the same breath
• The role of patience and process in self-mastery
• Practices to ground you in who you really are

Want more? I share unfiltered reflections, bonus wellness tools, and behind-the-scenes stories from Be Well, Sis on my Substack. Come hang out there →Bewellsis.substack.com

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• 📖 Living in Wisdom: A Path to Embodying Your Authentic Self, Embracing Grief, and Developing Self-Mastery by Devi Brown → (Buy your copy here!)
• 🌐 Connect with Devi: Instagram | Website
• 🎧 Listen to Devi’s Podcast: Deeply Well

If you’re ready to peel back the layers and live in deeper alignment, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Racial trauma. Misdiagnosis. Medical gaslighting.

This episode explores how racism becomes a public health crisis—especially when it comes to the mental health of Black communities.

I’m joined by Dr. Ingrid Waldron—professor, researcher, and author of From the Enlightenment to Black Lives Matter—for a powerful and unfiltered conversation about the systemic forces that shape how mental illness is diagnosed, treated, and too often ignored in Black bodies.

Originally recorded for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, this conversation is more timely than ever.

We discuss:

• Why schizophrenia is disproportionately diagnosed in Black men
• How the “strong Black woman” trope blocks empathy and access to care
• What medical gaslighting actually looks like in clinical settings
• The physical toll of racial stress and internalized trauma

Resources Mentioned:

📘 From the Enlightenment to Black Lives Matter (click link to purchase)

📗 The Protest Psychosis – Dr. Jonathan Metzl (click link to purchase on our Bookshop.org shelf)

Was this episode meaningful to you?

Leave a review, share with your community, and don’t forget to hit follow—it helps this show reach the people who need it most.

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You’re doing the skincare, taking your probiotics, checking the boxes-but still feeling off? You might be skipping the most important parts of self-care: safety, rest, connection, and stability.

In this episode, I sit down with Ericka Nicole—founder of Silken and host of Boss Babe Reset—to explore the five levels of the Self-Care Pyramid and why burnout often stems from neglecting the basics, not just doing too much.

We discuss:

• The 5 levels of the Self-Care Pyramid (based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs)
• Why so many of us feel unsafe—and how that affects our mental health
• The importance (and difficulty) of building community as an adult
• Real talk on burnout, financial insecurity, and finding joy anyway

This conversation is hilarious, honest, and full of wisdom for anyone navigating adulthood with big dreams and low energy.

Mentioned in this episode:

– Ericka’s brand: Silken Co.

– Ericka’s podcast: Boss Babe Reset

– Ericka’s personal IG: @theerickanicole

If you’ve ever felt like your life is “on paper” great but still not quite right—this episode is for you.

Guest Spotlight:

Sign up to my summer of joy journey through my substack here

Connect with me on socials- join the Be Well,Sis tribe on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube , and subscribe to the newsletter or buy me a coffee!

If this episode resonated with you- share with a friend!

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at hello@editaud.io with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.