Get ready, because class is almost in session. Welcome to the TBG University podcast tailored for the 20-something who’s packing for a new year on campus, thinking through their gap year, enrolling in a community college, grabbing their stoles for graduation, and everything in between. I’m your host & TBG U Coordinator, Jayna Ellis. On TikTok, you’ll often find jokes about how many of us felt like we only had a job as a barista waiting for us at the end of our 4 years of college. At...

Let's take a collective deep breath and explore all the feels after the big news of the weekend. President Joe Biden has announced he isn't seeking re-election and Vice-President Kamala Harris is the presumptive nominee. Whether you're excited, anxious, hesitant, or somewhere in between, it’s all valid. Tune in as I share some of my thoughts and feelings and hopefully find some comfort in knowing you're not alone.  About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly...

While therapists are often revered for our contributions to the mental wellness of others, our culture can also be guilty of denying them us humanity with assumptions that we’re always willing to provide therapeutic advice at the drop of a dime or that we don’t feel things too.  Today, I brought the group chat back together to discuss how therapists are showing up in our everyday lives. Dr. Ayanna Abrams and Dr. Joy Beckwith joined me to discuss the importance of setting boundaries with...

Earlier this week, I got the chance to chat with Crissle of The Read as we discussed her journey to graduating with her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. As a special bonus, we also sat down to answer some of your listener letters from The Read, as well as a few inquiries that were sent in by the TBG community. We touched on topics such as feeling like you’re behind in your career, setting boundaries with abusive parents, sharing a therapist with your friends, and more.  About the...

Fans of The Read podcast have followed co-host Crissle’s journey as she went back to school in the hopes of becoming a therapist. Well, she’s graduated y’all, so of course it was only right to have her join us to talk a little bit about her journey and what advice she has for other aspiring therapists. In case you’re unfamiliar with Crissle, she is half of the critically acclaimed comedy podcast The Read and her work has been featured in the Washington Post, ESSENCE, Slate, Buzzfeed, and...

Some of you may know that July is one of my favorite months of the year, and that’s because it’s when we observe Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This year, we’ve chosen the theme, Holding Space for Healers, putting the spotlight on the therapists and all those who’ve dedicated their careers to holding space for others. All month long, you can expect conversations centered around the experiences and perspectives of mental health professionals.  To kick the month off, we’re sharing a...

Some of you may have seen the viral Apple Music list of 100 best albums of all time and raised a few eyebrows at some of the choices made. So of course we had to give our own Black girl spin on the list, and today I’m joined by some of the TBG team members to share the albums that have been quintessential to our development as Black women. Joining me is our Community Assistant, Nyesha, our Project Manager, Lex, our Production Assistant, Zariah, and our Senior Producer, Ellice. As you hear us...

Congratulations, you’ve been accepted into the inaugural class of Therapy for Black Girls University. Whether packing for a new year on campus, thinking through your gap year, enrolling in a community college, or grabbing your stoles for graduation, TBG U is here to help you thrive at this stage of your life and beyond. College, an experience already notorious for its difficulty, can be a lot harder to navigate if you’re also dealing with a medical disorder or learning disability. These...

Happy Juneteenth y’all and happy almost first day of summer. I hope this episode finds you enjoying a bit of a slower pace and plotting on some ways to enjoy the sunshine. I’ve been thinking a lot recently about some of the ways that we get in our own way and some of the things we do to make our lives more difficult than they need to be and wanted to share some of my thoughts with you. This list is in no way exhaustive and you know I’d love to hear what you would add. Tag us in a post...

It’s easy to dismiss dating reality TV shows like Love Island and The Bachelor as trashy, guilty pleasure TV, but as we watch Black women contestants continuously get discarded by their male counterparts, chosen last if chosen at all, and edited in a way that promotes stereotypes, it can make the IRL pursuit of romance feel a lot more bleak.  Digging into this idea a little bit more with me today is Dr. Sarah Adeyinka-Skold. Dr. Sarah earned her sociology doctoral degree from the University...

Earlier this week, we gave you a glimpse of some of the magic that happened this spring at our first-ever live event, Healing in Real Time. Well, we of course could not leave out the Q&A portion of the event, where you all sounded off via DM with your questions about maintaining digital boundaries, the balance between oversharing and telling your truth online, and yes, the etiquette of posting during a friend’s birthday. Today, you’ll hear me and my group chat – the brilliant Dr. Ayanna...

Earlier this spring, we hosted our first-ever live podcast event at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, Georgia, Healing in Real Time. On that special night, in a room full of our loyal fans and supporters, we explored what it looks like to live healthy online and offline. I’m still so full from getting the chance to connect with so many of you. For those who couldn’t make it, we’ve recorded the conversation for you to enjoy from the comfort of your home.  My colleagues and friends, Dr. Ayanna...

Many of us were devastated in 2022 when MSNBC decided to cancel the Cross Connection, a news show that was one of a kind in choosing to prioritize the voices and stories of people of color. Since then, the show’s host, Tiffany D. Cross, has been relentless in her current efforts to tell the multigenerational stories of Black women on her latest podcast, ACross Generations. Tiffany is a journalist, TV host, podcast host, author, and speaker. During our conversation, we discussed what it means...

Congratulations, you’ve been accepted into the inaugural class of Therapy for Black Girls University. Whether packing for a new year on campus, thinking through your gap year, enrolling in a community college, or grabbing your stoles for graduation, TBG U is here to help you thrive at this stage of your life and beyond. Studying abroad can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a college student’s life, but there are soooo many things to consider when preparing to apply for a program –...

It’s been a while since we had some time on the podcast to catch up on all things TV, Music, and Pop Culture and there is a lot to unpack. From the well-documented rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, to our queen Beyonce’s latest release of Cowboy Carter, not to mention the recent Met Gala, it was time to sit down and have another one of our fan-favorite producer chats. Joining me for today’s pop culture rundown is our Senior Producer, Ellice Ellis and Production Assistant, Zariah...

When I think about Black women’s humor, I think about the subtle glances we share when something ridiculous happens in public, the physicality of slapping each other on the back after a really good joke, or the ways in which you can always tell just how a girlfriend is feeling by looking at the expression on her face. Even when meeting a Black woman who is a complete stranger, we still find ways to connect over our shared sense of humor. To talk a little more about the subtle nuances of...

After living through a global pandemic, missing years of in-person interaction, and dealing with the constant onslaught of violence displayed on social media, I think it’s safe to say that our kids are far from alright.  Joining me today to talk about some of the top concerns youth are facing when it comes to their mental health is fellow psychologist, Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble. A thought leader in her field, Dr. Alfiee focuses on mental health and suicide prevention for intersectional Youth...

Take a second to think of all the things in your life you’ve been told you “should” do. I should eat more healthy. I should be a better mom. I should have a partner. Now, imagine how much freer you could be by transforming those shoulds into cans, allowing you the ability to pursue your desires without shame. To talk with me today about why women should stop should-ing themselves is returning guest Dr. Melissa Robinson Brown. Dr. Mel is a licensed clinical psychologist, health & wellness...

It’s no secret that the relationship between Black people and the healthcare system is a fraught one. And as medical racism continues to go unaddressed, we’re seeing more and more negative health outcomes for Black patients, including the perpetuation of harmful conspiracy theories and hesitance to seek medical help when in need.  Joining me this week to talk about the history and statistics behind some of these outcomes is health advocate and New York Times Best Selling Author, Dr. Uché...

Congratulations, you’ve been accepted into the inaugural class of Therapy for Black Girls University. Whether packing for a new year on campus, thinking through your gap year, enrolling in a community college, or grabbing your stoles for graduation, TBG U is here to help you thrive at this stage of your life and beyond. One of the most alluring parts of the college experience is Greek Life, but many people don’t know the ins and outs of sorority life. For those of you who don’t know, I am a...

It is guaranteed that everyone on this Earth will eventually die, and yet, the process is made difficult with considerations such as appointing an authorized representative, leaving dependents behind, and other bureaucratic formalities that can be outright cruel to deal with when you’re already experiencing grief. Stepping in to help with these considerations are death doulas, who work to make this monumental transition as smooth as possible for both the dying and their families. To talk...

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week we’re circling back to one of our inventory episodes that so many of you enjoyed. For our new listeners, you’re in for a treat. This episode features Dr. Kristy Christopher-Holloway, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) here in the state of Georgia. In our conversation Dr. Kristy and I discuss what life can look like during pregnancy, birth and in the postpartum period. Plus we explored the growing research around Black women’s experiences giving...

Playing with markers, clay, and stencils is something we may recall fondly from our youth, but today dismiss as childish. Art Therapy, however, is a very legitimate and relaxing form of therapy for all ages that challenges us to think through our emotions by putting pen to paper. To tell us more, today we're joined by Chicago based artist and registered art therapist, Pierra D. Brown. Since graduating with her Master’s from the School of the Art Institute, she’s worked both in communities,...

Congratulations, you’ve been accepted into the inaugural class of Therapy for Black Girls University. Whether packing for a new year on campus, thinking through your gap year, enrolling in a community college, or grabbing your stoles for graduation, TBG U is here to help you thrive at this stage of your life and beyond. Can you believe it’s been one year since the launch of TBG University? It feels like just yesterday when the TBG team first conceptualized the idea of a platform that...

One of life’s most profound and devastating experiences can be losing a spouse. It’s a journey that can be marked by sorrow and the reshaping of one's identity, but it’s not one you have to go on alone. For today’s conversation, I’m joined by author, veteran journalist, and speaker Leslie Streeter. Leslie is the author of the memoir, “Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books with Words Like "Journey" in the Title.” A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she...