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

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

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and comment! It really helps the show.

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

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/

Support the show

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

Kelli and Kendra continue their conversation on Black women's reproductive health. This week they are joined by Regina Townsend, founder of The Broken Brown Egg. This organization exists to empower, inform, and advocate for those questioning or experiencing the impact of infertility, with an emphasis on the Black experience of it. Regina shares her fertility journey, how she started the Broken Brown Egg, how she's feeling today, given our current political climate, and how our ancestral cultural genius inspires her work. You'll also hear Regina describe her 'mental health kit,' and we invite you to share in the group chat on social media what you have in yours! Kendra offers a new takeaway question for us, which honors ourselves and our bodies.

P.S. Make sure you listen to the FULL episode because Regina blesses us with a recap of her book, Make IF Make Sense: Putting Words to the Feels of Infertility, and how you can join her community of women navigating their fertility journeys together.

Content warning: if you want to protect your peace and are sensitive to discussions about reproductive health issues and/or medical maltreatment and poor bedside manner, please take good care of yourself as you listen to this episode, and feel free to use the resources shared below

Additional links related to this episode:

1. Find the Broken Brown Egg here: Instagram and Website

2. Grab your copy of Regina Townsend's book, Make IF Make Sense: Putting Words to the Feels of Fertility

3. Check out Chocolate Brides' Instagram page, the magazine Regina mentions in the episode that inspired her development of the Broken Brown Egg

4. Dr. Rev. Stacy Edwards Dunn, Regina's sister in the fight and founder of Fertility for Colored Girls

5. Learn more about Fertility for Colored Girls

6. The Cade Foundation, an organization Regina mentions in the episode whose mission is to serve the needs of families battling infertility through information and financial support

7. Resolve is The National Infertility Association

8. Therapy for Black Girls, a Dr. Joy Harden Bradford podcast, has several episodes on Black women and reproductive health. We've linked them on our social media!

Follow the show on Instagram and Faceboo

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

Good Sis of the Pod, Dr. Chiyah A. Lawrence is back with Kendra and Kelli to discuss something we don't often discuss openly: reproductive health and the challenges Black women face. You'll hear each of them describe their experiences of navigating over the years, how it's impacted (or not impacted) their confidence as a woman, and Kendra even realizes in real time how much she has dealt with these challenges over the years. All three share pain management strategies that have worked well for them and resources they have incorporated into their wellness plans. As Black women, there is so much to learn from one another based on our experiences, and we want this episode to be informative, empowering, and supportive for all. We invite you to join us in the group chat and share what has worked well for you!

Content warning: if you want to protect your peace and are sensitive to discussions about reproductive health issues and/or medical maltreatment and poor bedside manner, please take good care of yourself as you listen to this episode, and feel free to use the resources shared below.

Additional links related to this episode:

1. Midi Health, an online platform and virtual care clinic created by specialists in perimenopause and menopause:

2. Dr. Chiyah's gynecologist friend put her onto some game for how to make an IUD procedure more tolerable. Always ask for a paracervical block and lidocaine jelly. Here's a video of Dr. Ashley Jeanius, a board-certified OBGYN, explaining how it is helpful and what other procedures this combo could be used for:

3. Kendra wishes we could afford to play this on the pod, but, in the meantime, please enjoy God's Property's song, "He'll Take the Pain Away"

4. Coach Gessie, a health activist and founder of The DeTox Now to help heal and prevent fibroids and more:

5. Tanika Gray Valburn, founder of The White Dress Project, w

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

The pod is podding! Kendra and Kelli share their reflections one week after the general election of 2024. Joined by their producer and digital media manager, Leatra and Meg, the hosts share their feelings immediately following the election and what they hope this means for our society going forward. Find your community, Black women, for such a time as this. This Womanist Work is a great place to start!

Additional links related to this episode:

1. If you haven't already, listen to Episode 8 of This Womanist Work titled "I Did Not Know What Freedom Was Until I Left: On Black Women Expats with Roshida Dowe and Stephanie Perry of ExodUS Summit"

2. Roshida Dowe from ExodUS Summit's video titled "Queer and Thriving Abroad"

3. Stephanie Perry, from ExodUS Summit's video titled "Countries Where Black Travelers Feel Welcome"

4. adrienne maree brown's book titled "Emergent Strategy"

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

Centering Equity Productions produced and edited this episode, 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

Support the show

Black women-- we see you, hear you, and share your concerns post-election 2024. This week, Kendra and Kelli are joined by Roshida Dowe and Stephanie Perry, co-founders of ExodUS Summit. This organization hosts virtual and live events and workshops that show Black women ways to plan their ExodUS while fostering community. Roshida and Stephanie tell us where their go-to location would be if they had to make a quick escape from the United States, and they share their organization's 7-step plan that any Black woman can use to make their ExodUS a reality. As they note on the pod-- "go to a place where people will support your dreams."

Additional links related to this episode:

1. ExodUS Summit's guide on "Black Women's ExodUS from the USA: Start Here"

2. A newsletter article from Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. (LDF), that has resonated with Kelli and Kendra over the past few days and inspired their introduction to this week's episode

3. Stephanie Perry's website, Vaycarious, where she "makes sabbaticals and life abroad accessible to Black women"

4. Roshida Dowe's website, Career Break Coach, where she "helps women take career breaks, move abroad, and live life on their terms

5. Essence magazine article, titled "The ExodUS Summit Is Helping Black Women Make Their Expat Dreams A Reality"

6. This Womanist Work's access link to the 5th Annual ExodUS Summit 2024's replay videos (note: our hosts receive a commission when listeners make a purchase using this link)

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

This episode was produced and edited by Leatra Tate, 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

In this extended bonus episode, Kelli and Kendra are joined by Sheryl Thomas-Washburn, AKA Mama Sheryl, who highlights her JEDI-B (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging) work experience and gives us an overview of her consulting work with Tomia LLC. They cover related topics such as white fragility and the discomfort of change. Specifically, why it is necessary. Tune in next week to hear more from Mama Sheryl in our full episode, but we hope you enjoy this month's bonus episode!

Additional links included in the episode:

1. Katy, TX school district considering a sensitivity policy for teachers after a book about a Native American allegedly makes white students uncomfortable

2. We reference Episode # 2- Ego is The Fear of Not Being Needed, where we discuss the importance of succession planning and how unique challenges emerge for Black women leaders

3. McKinsey & Company's Women in the Workplace study

Looking to book Sheryl Thomas-Washburn for your future speaking or consulting opportunities? You may contact her here:

Instagram- @the_sheryl_chronicles

Facebook- Sheryl Thomas-Washburn

LinkedIn- Sheryl Thomas-Washburn

Email- Sherylthomas189@gmail.com

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

This episode was produced and edited by Leatra Tate, 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