This week we’re joined by Mary Frances Phillips, a scholar-activist, public intellectual, and Associate Professor of African American Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her interdisciplinary research agenda focuses on race and gender in post-1945 social movements and the carceral state. Her scholarly interests include the Modern Black Freedom Struggle, Black Feminism, and Black Power Studies.

Her first book Black Panther Woman chronicles the life and spiritual practices of Ericka Huggins, a founding member of the Black Panther Party and the first woman to hold a leadership role within the movement. Unpacking her unlawful arrest, latent queerness, and journey from resistance warrior to revolutionary; Dr. Phillips helps close the gap on how some of the movement philosophy of the past has made its way into the current day.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Registration for the 2nd Annual Holding Space for Healers Therapist Summit is now open! Join us July 24–26, 2025 in Atlanta, GA for this one-of-a-kind event designed for Black mental health professionals, offering the tools, connections, and resources to grow your practice, strengthen your brand, and expand your impact in a meaningful way.​Register for the summit here!

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Our Guest

Instagram - @maryfrancesphillips

maryfrancesphillips.com

Instagram - @ericka_huggins

Stay Connected

Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this deeply moving episode, we’re joined by Lisa Price, founder and CEO of Carol’s Daughter, for an intimate conversation about parenting, identity, and unconditional love. Lisa opens up about her journey as a mother to a transgender child, sharing the lessons she’s learned, the challenges she’s faced, and the transformative power of showing up with empathy and authenticity. Together, we explore how her experiences as a parent have shaped her both personally and professionally, and how she continues to advocate for love, acceptance, and inclusion—both at home and within her brand.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Registration for the 2nd Annual Holding Space for Healers Therapist Summit is now open! Join us July 24–26, 2025 in Atlanta, GA for this one-of-a-kind event designed for Black mental health professionals, offering the tools, connections, and resources to grow your practice, strengthen your brand, and expand your impact in a meaningful way.​Register for the summit here!

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Our Guest

Instagram - @imlisaprice

Instagram - @carolsdaughter

Stay Connected

Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gut health is one of those wellness terms we hear all the time, and honestly, it’s popular for a reason. Our gut isn’t just about digestion. Like the rest of our organs, it’s connected to the brain, which means it can both reflect and impact our mental well-being. The gut-brain connection shows up in everyday life. Feeling queasy before a big meeting? Or so stressed you don’t have an appetite? The two are always in constant conversation whether we realize it or not. So today, I’m excited to welcome nutritional psychiatrist Dr. Andy Watkins to the show to help us demystify all things gut health. We’re chatting about what it actually means to take care of your gut and how doing so can help support your mood and your mind.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Registration for the 2nd Annual Holding Space for Healers Therapist Summit is now open! Join us July 24–26, 2025 in Atlanta, GA for this one-of-a-kind event designed for Black mental health professionals, offering the tools, connections, and resources to grow your practice, strengthen your brand, and expand your impact in a meaningful way.​Register for the summit here!

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Our Guest

Instagram @andywatkinsmccall

Website freedommindwellcare.org

Stay Connected

Join us in over on Patreon where we're building community through our chats, connecting at Sunday Night Check-Ins, and soaking in the wisdom from exclusive series like Ask Dr. Joy and So, My Therapist Said. ​

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alyssa Ashley, founder of In Real Life Skin, was raised in a traditional West Indian household where self-care was embraced as a holistic lifestyle rather than a simple routine. From a young age, she incorporated natural ingredients like pomegranate extract, magnesium, and vitamin E into her diet and skincare, discovering their powerful benefits for both physical and emotional well-being.

Alyssa identified a missing link between agriculture, beauty, and wellness. This insight led to the creation of In Real Life Skin, a brand rooted in the principles of neurocosmetics and designed to promote skin health, emotional balance, and sustainability. Her vision centers on reflecting real life through skincare by offering plant-based products and resources that foster healthy habits, emotional wellness, and authentic community connections.

In this episode, Alyssa opens up about the realities of leaving a corporate 9-5 job in order to pursue starting your own business.. We’re talking about self-discovery, sacrifice, entrepreneurial affirmations, and understanding how your business is connected to your inner child. So if you have been trying to figure out how to make the jump from employee to employer or are just fascinated by the story behind founders, this one’s for you.

Where to Find Alyssa

Instagram: @alyssa_s_ashley

Instagram: @inreallifeskin

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Instagram

TikTok

Interested in being a part of a future TBG U episode or suggesting a topic for us to discuss, send us a note HERE.

Order a copy of Sisterhood Heals for you and your girls HERE.

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These days, we talk a lot about community, and for good reason. But it’s important to remember that spending time alone is just as important. So what does it actually look like to enjoy your own company? Alone time isn’t just about being by yourself, it’s about slowing down, reconnecting, and noticing what comes up when you’re not in constant dialogue with the world around you. And although for some it may be uncomfortable and a little anxiety-inducing, when done with intention it can be incredibly rewarding. That’s why today I’m excited to discuss how making space for solitude in our busy lives can help us feel more at home in ourselves.

If something resonates with you from this conversation, please share it with us on social media using the hashtag #TBGInSession. Or join us in our Patreon channel to talk more in-depth about the episode. You can join us at community.therapyforblackgirls.com.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

After years of growing, connecting, and healing together, the Therapy for Black Girls Community is now officially live on Patreon—and let’s just say, it’s giving everything it needs to give! From exclusive content and weekly chats to live events and deeper convos with sisters who just get it, this is your space to show up fully and be poured into. Learn more and join us here.

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re joined by the brilliant and unapologetically authentic Dr. Donna Oriowo, licensed clinical social worker, certified sex and relationship therapist, and author of the bold new book, Drink Water & Mind Your Business. Known for her unique blend of cultural insight, therapeutic expertise, and straight-no-chaser delivery, Dr. Oriowo returns to the show to share the inspiration behind her new work and why it’s a necessary read for Black women navigating life, relationships, and radical self-care. We’re diving into what it really means to protect your peace, create boundaries without guilt, and center yourself in a world that often demands your labor but denies your rest.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re on #BookTok or any book-obsessed corner of the internet, especially amongst Black women, you know that there’s always a Kennedy Ryan book at the center of the conversation. Kennedy is no stranger to crafting characters that feel real and fully formed and her stories linger with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Her newest book, ‘Can't Get Enough,’ is no exception. The third and final book in her Skyland series explores shifts in family dynamics, deep love, and the kind of healing that feels both tender and powerful. Today Kennedy joins us on the podcast to dive further into her writing process and talk about how she brings these stories to life.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

After years of growing, connecting, and healing together, the Therapy for Black Girls Community is now officially live on Patreon—and let’s just say, it’s giving everything it needs to give! From exclusive content and weekly chats to live events and deeper convos with sisters who just get it, this is your space to show up fully and be poured into. Learn more and join us here.

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Our Guest

Instagram - @kennedyryan1

Grab your copy of Can't Get Enough.

Catch Kennedy on her book tour.

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we're joined by educator, writer, and bibliotherapist Emely Rumble, LCSW who's here to share the powerful story behind her debut book, Bibliotherapy in the Bronx. In this inspiring and deeply resonant conversation, Emely explains how the books we read can be a lifeline, a mirror, and a healing balm, especially for young people navigating complex emotional landscapes. From growing up in the Bronx to creating reading circles for healing in underserved schools, Emely has reimagined what therapy can look like for Black and brown communities, centering literature, community, and voice. We’re talking representation, literacy as liberation, and the magic that happens when you see yourself on the page.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

After years of growing, connecting, and healing together, the Therapy for Black Girls Community is now officially live on Patreon—and let’s just say, it’s giving everything it needs to give! From exclusive content and weekly chats to live events and deeper convos with sisters who just get it, this is your space to show up fully and be poured into. Learn more and join us here.

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Our Guest

Instagram - @literapy_nyc

Grab your copy of Bibliotherapy in the Bronx.

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.