Season 3 Premiere – Featuring Special Guest Ava Hart! We're thrilled to kick off Season 3 with a powerful conversation about healing within toxic cultures—and we’re honored to have Ava Hart, LCSW, IMH‑E, EMDR-certified therapist and parenting consultant, join us. Ava brings over 20 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through trauma, attachment challenges, perinatal mood disorders, and more.

From her work facilitating therapeutic workshops like "Trauma Bonded Sistas," to speaking on "The Brain, the Body and Trauma" and motherhood on Let’s Talk EMDR, Ava’s insights dive deep into the interplay between mind, body, and language ⁠avahart.com⁠.

WHY YOU SHOULD LISTEN

• Expert POV: Ava shares how EMDR and acceptance-based approaches can lead to deeper healing in toxic environments.

• Bridging Practice & Action: Discover actionable tools—like journaling, movement, and digital detox—that support radical accountability and self-care.

• Community & Connection: Learn about trauma bonding, workplace dynamics, and accountability within communities, especially among Black women.

  
  

  WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• How to expose toxic environments and reframe your relationship with them

• Why words matter: language’s role in emotional healing

• EMDR in healing traumas, including emotional wounds tied to communication

• Practical strategies for wellness: from unplugging digitally and reconnecting with nature, to movement and journaling

• Radical accountability + self-forgiveness as cornerstones of change

In This Episode: Dee, Shawna, and Ava explore how trauma, power, and divisive language harm our wellbeing—and how repair starts with empowered communication and community accountability. With EMDR, nature, movement, and journaling, they break down healing into manageable daily practices and challenge listeners to reclaim their personal growth journeys.

Tune in now: Whether you're healing from workplace or relationship toxicity, navigating motherhood, or on a journey of personal transformation, this conversation offers grounded insights and practical tools.

Let’s Co‑Lab Together! What’s one small act you’re going to implement this week—like a 10-minute digital break or a journaling ritual? Send us a message or tag us—we’d love to hear and support your journey.

Special shout out to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yvonne McDuffie Winfrey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Executive Producer extraordinaire, and The entire UNCollective family for your dedication and continuous support!

Connect with Us Follow us on social media and let us know your thoughts on today's episode!

Instagram: @colabbin_podcast

Facebook: @Co-Labbin' w/Dee & Shawna

YouTube: @Co-LabbinwithDeeShawna

Website: www.co-labbin.com

This Episode is Sponsored by Girls For Technology

We’re deeply grateful to Girls For Technology, our inaugural Season 3 sponsor, for generously providing Shawna with a recording space for Episode 301. Girls For Technology is a Black woman–led Hartford-based nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing women and girls of color—especially in K‑12 and young adult programs—by delivering immersive STEM, entrepreneurship, and leadership training to catalyze economic mobility and systems change. ⁠girlsfortechnology.org

#mentalhealth #trauma #healing #toxic #radical accountability #digitaldiet #divisivelanguage #selfcare

In this powerful episode of Co-Labbin’ with Dee & Shawna, we’re joined by Medina Jett, co-founder of TDS Capital and TDS Builders, for a deep dive into the challenges of collaboration in the Black community—especially within our own families—and how we can overcome them to build generational wealth.

We also explore the power of investing, financial literacy, and group economics, discussing how strategic investments can transform our financial futures. Medina shares insights on real estate syndication, smart investing, and the importance of financial empowerment, giving us the tools to break barriers and create lasting change.

Tap in and let’s start building! Listen now on [insert platform] and join the conversation in the comments. What’s one financial lesson you wish you learned earlier? #CoLabbinPodcast #BlackWealth #FinancialFreedom #GroupEconomics #InvestingForTheFuture

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Co-Labbin' w/ Dee and Shawna! This week, we're diving deep into the world of relationships with our special Valentine's Day edition, "Roses, Rosé, and Real Talk."

In Episode 207, we're answering your burning questions about love, romance, and everything in between.

Grab your favorite glass of rosé, sit back, and join us for some heartfelt and candid conversations about love and relationships. Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day or just looking for ways to enhance your connection with your partner, this episode is packed with valuable insights and real talk. Tune in now, and let's get into it!

In this compelling episode, we had the honor and privilege to co-lab with Stacey Muhammad, a visionary filmmaker, and episodic director from New Orleans. Known for her captivating storytelling and unique style, Stacey brings a deep passion for exploring the human experience and highlighting critical social issues through her work.

With an impressive portfolio that includes directing episodes for Alex Cross and Harlem (Amazon Prime), Queen Sugar (OWN), Bel-Air and The Best Man (Peacock), The Wonder Years (ABC) just to name a few, and her own groundbreaking web series For Colored Boys, Stacey is a true advocate for amplifying diverse voices in media. We also delve into her poignant Netflix documentary, I AM SEAN BELL: Black Boys Speak.

Join us as we discuss the importance of telling our own stories, the challenges and triumphs of working in the industry, emerging opportunities for Black creators to reshape the narrative in media, and why you can find success at any age.

To learn more about Stacey Muhammad and the amazing work she is doing visit www.StaceyMFilms.com

Special shout out to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yvonne McDuffie Winfrey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Producer extraordinaire and The UNCollective crew for their dedication and continuous support!

Connect with Us Follow us on social media and let us know your thoughts on today's episode!

Instagram: @colabbin_podcast

Facebook: @Co-Labbin' w/Dee & Shawna

YouTube: @Co-LabbinwithDeeShawna

In this episode, we dive into the world of personal branding with Gabrielle Gambrell, Chief Communications Officer at Hatchette Book Group. and a trailblazer in the communications industry. As a recipient of numerous accolades, including COLOR's POWER 40Under40, AWNewYork 2023 Future is Female, PRNEWS Top in PR, and PRWeek Hall of Femme, Gabrielle shares her journey and insights on how to build a powerful personal brand.

Join us as Gabrielle discusses the importance of authenticity, consistency, and strategic storytelling in personal branding. She provides practical tips and strategies to help you stand out in a crowded market and build a brand that truly represents who you are.

In this thought-provoking episode, Dee and Shawna welcome the dynamic Kimberly Robinson Williams, a seasoned leader and advocate for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). With a career spanning over 25 years, Kimberly has been at the forefront of transformative DEI initiatives across industries, from Fortune 500 companies to nonprofit organizations.

Together, we dive into the evolving landscape of DEI—reflecting on its momentum during the pandemic, its challenges and progress in the current climate, and its potential future under a Trump administration. Kimberly shares her unique perspective, drawing from her experience as a trailblazer and her current roles at the Urban League of Springfield and FDR & Associates.

Join us as we explore how to MOVE what most people feel is a MOMENT in time, forward to ensure lasting change. This is an episode you won’t want to miss if you’re passionate about equity, inclusion, and shaping a better future for all.

Special shout out to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Yvonne McDuffie Winfrey⁠⁠⁠⁠, Producer extraordinaire, and Emily Kiihnl from The UNCollective for your dedication and continuous support! Connect with Us Follow us on social media and let us know your thoughts on today's episode!

Instagram: @colabbin_podcast

Facebook: @Co-Labbin' w/Dee & Shawna

YouTube: @Co-LabbinwithDeeShawna

One Small Change: Every week, we share one small thing we can do to make a difference. Kimberly shared the 3 guiding principles recently announced by the Urban League's President and CEO Marc H. Morial, as part of this new phase of civil rights that we can all implement into our lives: Defend Democracy! | Demand Diversity! | Defeat Poverty!

#colabbin #blackwomenpodcasters #UrbanLeague #KimberlyWilliams #DiversityEquityInclusionandBelonging #DEIB #DEI #TheUNCollective #gratitude #blackgirlsrock #podcasting #blackmothers #financialfreedom #generationalwealth #onesmallchange

Join Dee and Shawna for Episode 203 as they kick off the holiday season with two very special guest hosts... their own girls!

In this heartwarming episode, they turn the mic over to the next generation, exploring how kids see the world and their unique ideas for making it a better place. Special shout out to ⁠⁠Yvonne McDuffie Winfrey⁠⁠, Producer extraordinaire, and Emily Kiihnl from The UNCollective for your dedication and continuous support! Connect with Us Follow us on social media and let us know your thoughts on today's episode!

Instagram: @colabbin_podcast

Facebook: @Co-Labbin' w/Dee & Shawna

YouTube: @Co-LabbinwithDeeShawna

#colabbin #blackwomenpodcasters #thanksgiving #gratitude #blackgirlsrock #podcasting #blackmothers #financialfreedom #generationalwealth #onesmallchange

Join Dee and Shawna as they explore the significance of participating in the upcoming U.S. Presidential election. Your vote is your voice—make it count!

In this episode, they stress the importance of doing your research and making an informed decision. It’s not just about casting a ballot, but understanding the issues, candidates, and policies that will shape the future. Empower yourself with knowledge before heading to the polls!

Special thanks to our producer, Yvonne Winfrey and team from The UNCollective for your continuous support!