Dear Mama,

What if I told you much of the growth our children may need to show up in the ways we’re nurturing them to show up comes through falling in love? When we tell our children not to focus on love, are we parenting out of fear? What message does that send to our children about the priority to place on intimate relationships, and what generational impact does that have on our culture? How do we raise children who know how to love?

In this raw and reflective episode, we take a deep dive into the Netflix series 'Forever,' using it as a powerful springboard to unpack the complexities of Black motherhood, teenage love, and generational parenting. We’re talking parenting fears, the tightrope between nurturing and protecting our babies, and the real-life challenges that come with raising Black teens in a world that doesn’t always love them back. Y'all know us! So honest storytelling, aha moments, and of course, plenty of laughter and love.

We also get into:
✨The roots of catastrophic parenting styles and the fear of raising fuck boys
✨How generational trauma shows up at the dinner table (and in the group chat)
✨Teaching our children vulnerability & letting go
✨Why was Keisha’s Daddy so triggering

PLUS - Crystal gives a s/o to Mara Brock Akil for putting text on the screen, NeKisha questions Crystal is good at training real dogs or Ques, and Thea offers advice on how to live like we'll survive this moment in time. In our Black Mama Say segment for this episode, where we put our twist on sayings from Black mamas, and the saying we're twisting this episode is “Let Me Hush Though.”

EPISODE PAUSE FOR THE CAUSE:

"Imma keep it 100. I don't raise f*c? boys. I don't wanna raise men who women have to manage." - Crystal Tennille Irby

IMPORTANT CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS:

JOIN US for Talk Back: Black Keisha, Black Mamas & Forever - We'll be watching & discussing the scenes that made you TALK BACK to the screen. REGISTER NOW!

💗Black Mama Magic Card Deck: Card #15 “Fuck Fear. An Affirmation.” 💗

EPISODES MENTIONS/RELEVANT TO THIS EPISODE:

🎙️DBM Ep 51 When It All Falls Down, Finding Freedom & Transitioning to Conscious Parenting w/ Domari Dickinson

DBM Ep 71 Companion Playlist

🔗 Connect with Dem Black Mamas:

Join Our Email List | Instagram | YouTube

🗣️Engage: This is a conversation. Speak back to us! Please share your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #DemBlackMamas, DM us, or email us at magic@demblackmamas.com.

To expand knowledge and combat misinformation and disinformation, we create a syllabus (s/o to Melissa Harris Perry), a list of references/sources for our listeners to dive into. This list includes any books, videos, podcasts, etc. that we've mentioned in the episode or that will help you gain a well-informed perspective. For our complete syllabus, check out our website: demblackmamas.com

Dear Mama,

What if I told you your mess tells a story, and your clutter can block your clarity? What if I told you to reframe cleaning as a way to express gratitude, practice self-care, and create a sacred space where your spirit can operate effortlessly and creativity flows freely? What have you put down that you need to put away? What items are you holding onto that no longer serve you? These are the questions our guest professional organizer, Kendra Littlejohn of Organized by Kendra, brought to the forefront. In this episode, she gently stepped on our toes and helped us reframe our approach to organizing our creative space. We dive into:

✨Accepting and honoring the season you're in
✨Clarity and how Mamas can reclaim or create space for themselves
✨And the plot twist we didn’t know we needed, how reducing laundry
✨PLUS Kendra is offering a free, yes FREE Virtual Space Audit to the first three people to sign up & use the code: demblackmamas

ABOUT KENDRA

Kendra Littlejohn is the founder and Chief Organizing Officer at Organized by Kendra, a premier home organizing and styling firm based in Southaven, MS, and serving the greater Memphis metropolitan area, and beyond. With her background in corporate finance experience, Kendra brings a unique blend of business acumen, creativity, and passion for helping ambitious professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives cancel clutter, optimize space, and create systems that seamlessly balance aesthetics with practicality. Being laid off after 20+ years in corporate finance became the catalyst for Kendra to lean into what had always come naturally—turning disorganized spaces into peaceful, functional environments. Since launching OK, Kendra’s insights have been spotlighted in prominent publications like ESSENCE, REAL SIMPLE, and SOUTHERN LIVING. Kendra specializes in customized organizing solutions that create ease and enhance both function and beauty.

Connect with Kendra Littlejohn: Instagram | Website

💗Black Mama Magic Card Deck: Card #13 “Black Mama Creative = Dream Doula” 💗

EPISODES MENTIONS/RELEVANT TO THIS EPISODE:

🎙️DBM Ep 68 All About Annie, Sinners and Black Motherhood

🎙️DBM Black Mama Creative Episode Playlist

🔗 Connect with Dem Black Mamas:

Instagram | YouTube

🗣️Engage: This is a conversation. Speak back to us! Please share your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #DemBlackMamas, DM us, or email us at magic@demblackmamas.com.

To expand knowledge and combat misinformation and disinformation, we create a syllabus (s/o to Melissa Harris Perry), a list of references/sources for our listeners to dive into. This list includes any books, videos, podcasts, etc. that we've mentioned in the episode or that will help you gain a well-informed perspective. For our complete syllabus, check out our website: demblackmamas.com