Recorded live over a beautiful, catered dinner at the Pittsburgh Public Theater, your hosts Kelli King-Jackson and Kendra Ross gathered with special guests to honor the sacred work of mothering. With laughter, a few tears, and lots of love, we kicked off Season Two exploring the beauty and complexity of motherhood and daughterhood.

This conversation holds multitudes: the joy and ache of mothering, the ways trauma shows up and gets transformed, the complicated legacy of the Black church, and the things we wish our mothers had told us, but didn’t. And still, we hold space for gratitude. For survival. For growth. For healing.

This one is for every former church girl finding her way, for every woman carrying the weight of two names—daughter and mother—and for anyone doing the heart work of redefining what family means. Pull up a chair. You’re welcome here. You deserve to give yourself grace.

Special guests in this episode include: Lonita Ross, Elnora Biggs, Trisha Gadson, Maisha Howze, Denele Biggs, Tanika Harris, Janice Owusu, Meg Smith, and Leatra Tate.

Audio and Visual Support: Emmy and Webby award-winning production house, Ya Momz House, Inc

Event Coordinator: Tim Komne, TK Event Studio

Caterer: Kevin Hermann, Executive Chef, BistroToGo

Venue: Pittsburgh Public Theater

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This episode was produced and edited by Centering Equity Productions, with the original theme song sung and created by Kendra Ross.

Hit our group chat to ask us a question or send us feedback on what you're enjoying about the show!

Ready to take your podcast to the next level? Centering Equity Productions specializes in high-quality audio content, from concept to marketing strategies. Focus on creating amazing stories while we handle the rest. Learn more about Centering Equity Productions here: www.centeringequityllc.com

Kelli King-Jackson is a certified professional coach to Black women leading in white spaces. In addition to coaching, she works with organizations truly committed to justice for Black women by providing philanthropic advising, facilitation, and speaking services. Learn more about Kelli's work here: https://www.iamkelli.com/

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In our season one finale episode, we are joined by Watering Hole Media's Chief Executive Officer, Ashley Allison. Ashley helps us break down steps for navigating life post-2024 general election. She encourages us to become clear and fortify our beliefs so we can stand ten toes down when needed, especially in our day-to-day interactions. She also calls on us to lean on the fact that our ancestors survived times such as this. We share what we are looking forward to in 2025, and we want to hear from you, so make sure you join the group chat and let us know on social media!

Additional links related to this episode:

1. Watering Hole Media is a social impact media project seeking to open minds, activate change, and win for the people

2. "Serene Compassion" by John and Denise Carmody is an evaluation of Buddhist thought and practice from a Christian point of view

3. "Spiritual Vision" by Nadra Nittle explores bell hooks' writings on Christianity, Buddhism, and feminism

A few of Ashley's favorite preachers:

4. TD Jakes' sermon The Conception of Faith, Sarah Jakes Roberts (daughter of TD Jakes), and Otis Moss

5. "Listening When Parts Speak: A Practical Guide to Healing with Internal Family Systems Therapy and Ancestor Wisdom" by Tamala Floyd

6. Hermeneutics of suspicion (definition courtesy of The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology) is employed with a Womanist Theology lens by Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Eboni Marshall Turman, and Monica Coleman

7. A clip of Ashley standing ten toes down as a Christian from CNN

Follow the show on Instagram and Facebook @thiswomanistworkpod to keep the group chat conversations going!

This episode was produced and edited by

Hit our group chat to ask us a question or send us feedback on what you're enjoying about the show!

Ready to take your podcast to the next level? Centering Equity Productions specializes in high-quality audio content, from concept to marketing strategies. Focus on creating amazing stories while we handle the rest. Learn more about Centering Equity Productions here: www.centeringequityllc.com

Kelli King-Jackson is a certified professional coach to Black women leading in white spaces. In addition to coaching, she works with organizations truly committed to justice for Black women by providing philanthropic advising, facilitation, and speaking services. Learn more about Kelli's work here: https://www.iamkelli.com/

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Now that we are past the election and getting ready for the holiday season, we are returning for our full episode with Mama Sheryl! Sheryl Thomas-Washburn joins Kelli and Kendra to share more about how she got to where she is today. Mama Sheryl is Meg's mom, and she brings a whole lotta recipes for us to take with us. She starts by sharing her journey from a Christian Baptist church to her spiritual awakening; she shares tips for navigating one's spiritual journey, especially when you do not have community, and what it's like being in an interfaith relationship. Mama Sheryl also describes raising a queer daughter while connected to a fairly conservative church. Don't get punched in the face, because she just looks this cute. She will square up!

Additional links related to this episode:

1. Mama Sheryl makes her first appearance on Bonus Ep. 3- "If You're Not Uncomfortable, You're Not Doing the Work" with Sheryl Thomas-Washburn. Make sure you listen to this episode to hear all of her tips and tricks for JEDI work in today's society.

2. "A Course in Miracles" is a unique spiritual self-study program designed to awaken us to the truth of our oneness with God and Love

3. Mama Sheryl mentions how impactful the spiritual guidance she received at the Centers for Spiritual Living was to her. Check them out here!

Follow the show on Instagram and Facebook @thiswomanistworkpod to keep the group chat conversations going!

This episode was produced and edited by Centering Equity Productions, with the original theme song sung and created by Kendra Ross.

Hit our group chat to ask us a question or send us feedback on what you're enjoying about the show!

Ready to take your podcast to the next level? Centering Equity Productions specializes in high-quality audio content, from concept to marketing strategies. Focus on creating amazing stories while we handle the rest. Learn more about Centering Equity Productions here: www.centeringequityllc.com

Kelli King-Jackson is a certified professional coach to Black women leading in white spaces. In addition to coaching, she works with organizations truly committed to justice for Black women by providing philanthropic advising, facilitation, and speaking services. Learn more about Kelli's work here: https://www.iamkelli.com/

Support the show