My strong is slowing down and enjoying the simplicity of life. As summer gradually winds down and fall begins to approach, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about how we can reflect, recharge, and reconnect with what truly matters. The transition from the busy, energetic days of summer to the calmer, cooler days of fall offers a natural pause…

My strong is embracing self-compassion amidst self-criticism. Welcome to Day 22 of our “me-first” journey! Yesterday, we talked about finding hope in broken places. Today, we’re diving into the impact of holding ourselves in contempt and how it affects our journey to a “me-first” life. This step is crucial for understanding how self-criticism can h…

My strong is finding light in the midst of darkness. Welcome to Day 21 of our “me-first” journey! Yesterday, we talked about knowing when to walk away. Today, we’re focusing on finding hope in broken places. This step is about more than just seeing the silver lining—it’s about discovering how hope can be a guiding light even in the most challenging…

My strong is know when to let of what no longer serves me. Welcome to Day 20 of our “me-first” journey! Yesterday, we dove into focusing on what we can control, and today, we’re tackling another crucial topic: knowing when to walk away.This step is about more than just moving on—it’s about making space for what truly nurtures you. We’ve all faced m…

My strong is focusing on things I can control. Welcome to Day 19 of our “me-first” journey! Yesterday, we chatted about overcoming fear, and today, we’re exploring a closely related challenge—focusing on things you can control. This discussion is vital as we continue to evolve away from old, restrictive habits and toward a life where we handle unce…

My strong is overcoming fear to live a truly empowered life. Welcome to Day 18 of our “me-first” journey! Yesterday we talked about embracing change. Today, we’re discussing its close cousin, overcoming the fear of the unknown. Just like change, fear of the unknown often bubbles up when we start altering long-held patterns. It’s crucial to confront…

My strong is embracing change to live a truly “me-first” life. Welcome to Day 17 of our “me-first” journey! Yesterday, we tackled breaking generational curses. Today, we shift gears to discuss embracing change. Change often follows once we start dismantling old patterns, and it’s important to handle it well to avoid reverting to those old habits. E…

My strong is breaking free from generational curses so I can live my best “me-first” life. Welcome to Day 16 of our “me-first” journey! Yesterday, we explored building a meaningful legacy, and today, we’re taking an important step forward, breaking generational curses. These are patterns passed down through generations, often subconsciously, that c…

My strong is building a legacy that transcends material possessions. Welcome to Day 15 of our “me-first” journey! We’ve reached the halfway mark, and today we’re talking about buiilding a legacy that matters —specifically, the kind of impact we leave behind. It’s not just about generational heirlooms or grand gestures; it’s about the everyday choic…

My strong is in honoring my body as the powerful vessel it is. Welcome to Day 14 of our “me-first” journey! Today, we’re talking about taking care of your body When You’re taking care of your body you’re also taking care of your mind and spiritPhysical health isn’t just about how you look; it’s deeply connected to your mental and emotional well-bei…

My strong is waking up each day with a sense of purpose and passion.Welcome to Day 13 of our "me-first" journey! Today, we're diving into finding a reason to wake up in the morning. It's so easy to lose ourselves in the hustle and bustle of daily life, but this journey is about discovering what sets your soul on fire and gives you a sense of purpos…

My strong is finding harmony between prioritizing myself and handling my responsibilities.Welcome to Day 12 of our "me-first" journey! Today we're talking about how to balance prioritizing yourself with managing your responsibilities. It's about integrating self-care into your daily routine without neglecting your commitments. In priortizing yourse…

My strong is starting each day with a morning routine that centers my well-being and sets a positive tone for the day.Welcome to Day 11 of our "me-first" journey! Today, we're diving into the importance of creating a morning routine that centers your well-being. It's all about starting your day with intention, dedicating time to yourself, and setti…

My strong is recognizing and honoring my own feelings and experiences even when no one else does. Welcome to Day 10 of our "me-first" journey! Today, we're diving into the importance of validating your feelings and experiences. It's all about recognizing and honoring your feelings and experiences, even when others may not, and trusting that your pe…

My strong is creating deep, meaningful connections with others.Welcome to Day 9 of our "me-first" journey! Today, we're talking about building great relationships with great people. It's all about connecting with those who uplift and inspire us, fostering meaningful connections that support our growth and well-beingBuilding great relationships with…

My strong is practicing self-compassion by embracing kindness and understanding towards myself. Welcome to Day 8 of our 'me-first' journey! Today, we're diving deep into self-compassion. It's about embracing kindness and understanding toward ourselves, especially when we face challenges and don't meet our own expectations.We've all been there, plac…

My strong is finding quiet moments when life is loud, creating a space for peace and serenityWelcome to Day 7 of our "me-first" journey! Today, we're getting real about finding quiet moments when life is loud. We're talking about how making space for peace and tranquility can change everything—bringing more balance, calm, and clarity, even when lif…

My strong is letting go of control to find freedom and create a life of flow.Hey there, welcome to Day 6 of our "me-first" journey! Today, we're getting real about letting go of control. We're talking about how releasing the need to control every aspect of your life can change everything—bringing more freedom, peace, and flow, even when things don'…

My strong is embracing vulnerability to build deeper connections and authentic relationships.Hey there, welcome to Day 5 of our "me-first" journey! Today we're getting real about embracing vulnerability. We're talking about how letting your guard down and being your authentic self can change everything—making those connections deeper and life more …

My strong is embracing self-care rituals that protect and nurture my peace.Hey there, welcome to Day 4 of our "me-first" journey! Today, we're diving into the world of self-care rituals. We'll explore how these rituals can really make a difference in your life—bringing you peace and stability when things get hectic.Embracing self-care rituals isn't…

My strong is creating a lifestyle where my boundaries protect my peace.Welcome to Day 3 of our "me-first" journey! Today, we're diving into a topic that hits home for so many of us… Setting Boundaries that Stick. We’re exploring how to reclaim our time, energy, and sanity by setting boundaries that are pillars of self-respect.Setting boundaries isn…

My strong is building a life where my priorities align with my passions and purpose. Welcome to Day 2 of our "me-first" journey! Today, we're talking about identifying priorities. We're diving into the heart of prioritization and aligning your actions with what truly matters most to you.Identifying priorities isn't just about listing tasks; it's ab…

My strong is saying yes only when it aligns with the life I'm creating for myself.Welcome to Day 1 of the :me-first'" series! Today, we're tackling the dark side of saying yes. Ever felt overwhelmed and exhausted from always being the go-to person? I know I have. In this episode, I share my personal journey of learning to say no and the impact it h…

My strong is choosing me-first!Introducing "Me-First," a life-changing 30-day series designed to help you create the best "me-first" life ever. We're not waiting until December to start making changes. It's time to prioritize your happiness and well-being right now. Join us as we dive into daily tips and encouragement to move yourself back to the t…

My strong is sacredJoin us for this enlightening episode with Deneen Tyler as we dive into the heart of healing, focusing on the feminine experience. We explore the nuances of Black womanhood, discussing how to reclaim your power, nurture your emotions, and finding balance in feminine and masculine energy. Deneen's insights and wisdom will inspire …

My strong is finding healing and wholeness Join us for a profound episode with Dr. LaSondra Barnes, a life and spiritual coach specializing in the effects of rejection and self-image, as we dig into the complexities of the father wound. Dr. LaSondra guides us through understanding the origins of the father wound and its lasting effects on daughters…

My strong is grace, healing and forgiveness.Join us for a deeply insightful episode with Tigest Beyene, as she bravely shares her journey from hurt to healing. Tigest's story is one of 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, having endured domestic gun violence and the long-lasting effects of trauma. What makes Tigest's story so remarkable is her realization, eig…

My strong is revealing the truth about mental health.Today, we're joined by Donnita Hathaway, daughter of the legendary musician Donny Hathaway and founder of the Donny Hathaway Legacy Project, for a thoughtful conversation about navigating the many faces of mental health. In this episode, we discuss the complexities of mental health, focusing on u…

My strong is priotizing my mental health.Today, we're joined by Aubri McKoy for a thoughtful conversation about navigating the intersection of mental health and the Black female experience. As Black women, we understand the unique challenges and pressures we face when it comes to mental health. Get a glimpse into how we navigate societal expectatio…

My strong is vulnerability and acceptanceHey, sis! Shirl and Natty here! Today, we're joined by Traci Neal for an impactful conversation about navigating life on the spectrum. Traci shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD and Autism at the age of thirty-four and how she's leaning into vulnerability to support her in embracing the labels,…

My strong is confronting the mother wound with resilience and grace.Heeeeyyy!!! Shirl and Natty here! Today, we're joined by Alyson Brown for a deep dive into a topic that deeply resonates with a lot of Black women, the mother wound.Alyson walks us through what it is, how it impacts us, and strategies for healing.We know that navigating the complex…

My strong is acknowledging my mistakes and holding myself accountable.Hey there, it's Shirl and Natty! In this episode, we dive deep into a topic that hits close to home: acknowledging our vulnerabilities and mistakes, and the importance of taking accountability, especially within our Black female community.We know how challenging it can be to navi…

My strong is my belief that Black women are sick of riding and dyingWe're thrilled to welcome award-winning author and advocate Shanita Hubbard to our show for an enlightening discussion. Shanita shares her unique perspective on the “Ride or Die” narrative in hip-hop and its profound impact on Black women, drawing from personal experiences and a de…

My strong is humanizing myself.In a world that often demands Black women to be strong at all costs, there is a growing recognition of the need to humanize ourselves — to acknowledge our vulnerabilities, set boundaries, and prioritize self-care.In this episode of Shades of Strong Podcast, hosts Shirley Hubbard and Natalyn Bradshaw delve into the imp…

My strong is empowering Black women.Get ready for a powerful new season of Shades of Strong! Hosted by Shirley Hubbard and Natalyn Bradshaw, this podcast empowers Black women to embrace their authentic selves and challenge societal stereotypes.Launching on April 9th, this season features compelling conversations with inspiring guests. From discussi…

My strong is soft, feminine, and receptive. Long gone are the days when Black women are overextending and back bending all in the name of being strong, because contrary to poplular belief, Black women get to be be soft and strong. Tap in to this week's encore episode for a conversation with Ivory Benneet on how she's one of many Black women embraci…

My strong is creating an emotioanlly safe space.One of the most harmful things about having emotional walls is missing out on great experiences with those you love and care about. We build these walls with the hope of keeping harmful things out, not realizing that walls not only shut others out, they shut you in. Tap in to this week's encore episod…

My strong is "resolute and standing firmly in my truth" Angela Bassett. They tell us to take risks – take lots of them. They tell us not to settle for mediocrity – fight for the life we want. So, we do! We fight with everything in us – not being easily intimidated. Not letting people walk all over us. We boldly speak up against unfairness and injus…

My strong is not strong all the time and I’m okay with that. I cry. I feel. I heal.Letting go of the past and healing from trauma is challenging in and of itself, but when the trauma is a result of unhealthy parental relationships, it becomes even more challenging. In today's episode I chatted it up with Angela Roulette as she shared her journey of…

My strong is knowing what I bring to the table.Unlearning people pleasing behavior is challenging, not only because it's a part of the Black female's social fabric, but also because as Black women often existing in predominantly white spaces, pleasing others first is [undoubtedly] a survival mechanism. Hello code switching and shape shifting!The on…

My strong is honoring the sacredness of friendships.Have you ever found yourself in the middle of friendhsip or sisterhood that suddenly became toxic? Are you able to accept responsibility for the role you played in it? You don't have to answer that (outloud), but the truth is we all play a role (in one way or another) in the toxcity we sometimes f…

My strong is healing in a way that feels right for me.We gotta stop telling people that they can choose to be happy when they're in the thick of a traumatic event because sometimes CHOOSING happiness is not possible in that moment.Though well intentioned, our words can be harmful when we're not sensitive to the emotional needs of those we're trying…

My strong is NOT sociaiizing Black girls to be strong.We're on summer break, but we didn't want to leave you with no SOS, so for the next several weeks we'll be dropping some of our most listened to episodes. Unlike Beyonce most Black women didn't wake up like this. Before we were strong Black women we were little Black girls being socialized to be…

"My strong is honoring my full body yeses, and trusting even the quietest whispers of my no's" In today's episode Tšhegofatšo Ndabane shares how she spent so much time caring for others til she didn't know how to care for herself. She goes on to share how a bout with extreme burnout not only isolated her from her community, but also sat her down an…

"I don't know who needs to hear this, but check on your strong friends." How many times have you seen this statement floating around social media?How many times did you actually check on your strong friend?How many times did she say, "I'm good." ... and how many times did you hear I'm good and kept it moving? Listen, we're not here to judge because…

"What if you're having a tough day and you manage to get out of bed? That's worth celebrating."In today's episode Paballo Rampa gives us a peek inside her journey to healing from the Strong Black Woman Syndrome. She paints us a picture of how she spent years dismantling the label that had been thrust upon her and how she is now showing herself love…

Mothers, they're human, they're flawed, and they have their own stories. But their stories don't have to dictate how we live our lives. Mother's Day is peeking over the horizon which means we'll soon be flooded with commercials, social media posts and Hallmark card images of the perfect mother-daughter relationships, but the reality is that's not e…

It kinda feels like we've been living in a pandemic state of mind for decades now, when the reality is it's only been about three years. The world around us seems to be crumbling both on the inside and the outside and some days it feels like it's impossible to pull yourself out of that sunken place. All of your wants and desires suddenly feel meani…

Going to a job you hate is a dreadful experience most of us are all to familiar with. You wake up every morning miserable, frustrated, and unmotivated. You know you need to make a change -- you want to quit without notice, but you're not financially able to without having another opportunity lined up. In today's episode we share our own expereinces…

Safe spaces for Black women matter because sometimes we need to be around other Black women who get it.In today's episode we talk about the importance of Black women having a safe space to gather and chat it up about the unique challenges we face as a culture and how those challenges are often overlooked and unheard.Having a space where we can pour…