Episodes
Two months into 2021, and we're still at home, but we know we're not the only ones. At least we have streaming, food delivery, and podcasts (wink, wink) to keep us company. Speaking of streaming...lately, our Friday nights have been spent watching 90's and early 00's re-runs. That's why we're beyond excited for the return of Coming to America (available on Amazon Prime March 5th). It's the best of both worlds - old-school nostalgia and new content for the weekend. To get us in a regal state...
Published 02/25/21
Published 02/25/21
Bellas, we're back...well for a quick moment. It's been a while since we got together and we've missed you. Although 2020 has been a roller coaster of highs and lows, we had to end the year, and our podcast season, with some love. Actresses Tessa Thompson and Aja Naomi King (virtually) stopped by to reminisce on vintage Black excellence and share about their upcoming movie, Sylvie's Love (available on Amazon Prime December 23rd). Plus Cori and Charli say "see ya' 2020" and share their...
Published 12/17/20
This week, we’re talking to singer, songwriter, businesswoman, and actress...THE Electric Lady herself -- Janelle Monae (@janellemonae), whose new movie Antebellum is out now on-demand. She chats with hosts, Cori Murray (@corimurray) + Charli Penn (@charlipenn) about why it’s time for Black women to put their capes down, and rest for a moment, even when a revolution is happening. Share your thoughts on social using #yesgirlpodcast.
Published 09/26/20
There has been and will be no one like him. On this special encore episode which originally aired on December 6, 2019, Cori and Charli spoke with the late Chadwick Boseman and 21 Bridges cast mate Stephan James , gleaning gems about his method and finding laughs along the way. Rest in power, King.
Published 09/20/20
This episode of Yes, Girl! Podcast is an #UnBossed Podcast Takeover! *Cue the airhorns!* Our ESSENCE Podcast Network sister, Marquita Harris had a very real conversation with Monika Johnson, Associate Vice President at Nationwide and Patrice Johnson, CEO of Seek Wisdom Find Wealth about what it means to find and purse your passions and how to pivot when things (like a global pandemic) happen out of nowhere. Get into it and let us know what you think #UnBossedPodcast #YesGirlPodcast
Published 09/17/20
Broadcast news and daytime talk royalty Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) is here! And she breaks down what it means to be a trailblazer in journalism, why being raised by a village was so important for her, and what it really means to bet on yourself as a Black woman. Let us know what you think using #YesGirlPodcast on social!
Published 09/15/20
THE John David Washington (@johndavidwashington) is here to talk all things The Tenet and building a legacy! Cori’s going to double-mask it and head to theaters to see it. And Nicco Annan (@alldaynicco) aka Uncle Clifford talks about everything from what strip clubs and church have in common to how good ARE strip club chicken wings? Get into this ki-ki! And hit us up on social to let us know what you think! #YesGirlPodcast
Published 09/11/20
Businesswoman. Trans rights activist. Actress. Author. She does it all and she looks good while doing it. On this episode, Angelica Ross (@angelicaross) aka Miss Ross spilled the deets on her skincare and her spiritual practice as well as the beautiful advice Laverne Cox offered early in her career. *sigh* We just can’t get enough of her zen vibe.
Published 09/03/20
On this episode, we have a real soul-stirring conversation with the one-and-only LECRAE (whose new album ‘Restoration’ is out now!) about everything from the weight of learning in public to that time Beyonce inspired him to base jump. If you need some words of wisdom to boost your spirit, you REALLY don’t want to skip this episode.
Published 08/27/20
When Black podcast hosts get together, you know it’s a love fest. This week’s guests Brittany Luse (@bmluse) and Eric Eddings (@ejeddings) hosts of the wildly popular podcast, “The Nod” talk about everything from their new Quibi show to what they hope to tell their children about the year 2020!
Published 08/20/20
Suffice it to say, she's no shrinking violet. When you're in a room with Tasha Smith (@tashasmith4real), you know Tasha Smith is in the room. And we love that she brought that big, beautiful, affirming energy to Yes, Girl! On this episode she talks directing the binge-worthy P-Valley, loving on her acting students, and living life to the absolute fullest! We love it and we love her. Let us know what you think of the whole WORD she drops! #YesGirlPodcast
Published 08/13/20
It's a Black Lady Pod Show when Tracy Clayton stops by. Having Cori, Tracy, and Charli on the mic is a recipe for an instant ki-ki. The laughs were constant and the stories were endless. From the time Tracey curtseyed at the White House (yep, that happened), to why it's always important to have the confidence of a “mediocre White man”, the conversation was non-stop. No one wanted to leave. Since her stint as co-host of Another Round, Tracy has been busy, baby! As host of Netflix's popular...
Published 08/06/20
Like she never left - Brandy (@brandy) is here this week, y’all. We geeked and gushed because it’s BRANDY but we also chatted with her about her new and long-awaited album ‘B7’ which drops TOMORROW. Are y’all as ready as we are? She holds nothing back on this new record and she’s just as gracious and humble as ever. Check out the episode right now, and the new album tomorrow and then let us know what Brandy moment most influenced you! The braids? I Wanna Be Down? Cinderella?...
Published 07/30/20
We won’t even hold you: NIA LONG (@iamnialong) IS HERE THIS WEEK! Can you say ‘Hollywood royalty’?! 👑💐 Not only is she chatting with us about her starring role in Netflix’s latest thriller, ‘Fatal Affair,’ Nia opens up about loving her Blackness, mental health in the Black community, and why she goes SO hard as a culture creator. You’ll want to tune ALL the way in to this episode! So adjust your crowns, and use #YesGirlPodcast to let us know what you love most about this queen!
Published 07/21/20
Who better to discuss the reflection and wellness with than actress, mother, wife, businesswoman extraordinaire - Tia Mowry (@tiamowry)?! She’s a doll and gave us a good word and some homework around mastering our health journeys and aging like fine wine. From her battle with endometriosis to the health supplement she’s launched as a result - Tia drops SO many good nuggets of wisdom that we can’t wait for you to scoop up! Use #YesGirlPodcast to let us know some of the tips and practices that...
Published 07/17/20
Look, there are few people we love to laugh with more than Tichina (@tichinaarnold). And every single time she comes through, she drops a word! On this episode of Yes, Girl! the mother/actress/singer/comedienne shares all the incredible projects she’s working on and she shares how a 1991 earthquake prepared her for just about any natural disaster. Plus, she shares what it’s like self-isolating with her teenage daughter (who is just as funny and talented as her!). Use #YesGirlPodcast to let us...
Published 07/10/20
When you think of the modern playlist, there are a few people who should be thanked. Mjeema Pickett (@ladyjeems), Spotify’s Head of R&B Programming is one of them. Not only has she revolutionized the way we listen to music but she just LOVES it so damn much! Amidst all the social unrest and a global pandemic, we were so glad to sit down and talk about good music with Mjeema and her incredible career story. We got to ask her some dope questions including “How would you describe yourself in...
Published 07/02/20
Listen… You can never fully prepare yourself to meet a legend. We tried and we think we did ok when PATTI LABELLE (@mspattilabelle) stopped by Yes, Girl!, y’all! (Yes, we gushed a little bit about that time the entire ESSENCE office stopped what they were doing when she came by) but we also learned the backstory behind one of Miss Patti’s BIGGEST hits! This was such a fun conversation with one of the best to ever hit the stage so jump into this episode and keep the comments coming on social...
Published 06/25/20
There’s a lot going on in the country and the world right now. But one thing we refuse to do is to let it stop our Black joy. So, we’re giving you this special Juneteenth 2020 episode of #YesGirlPodcast to honor the beauty of Blackness past and present. With conversations from Alzo Slade (@alzoslade), Kendrick Sampson (@kendrick38), Kirk + Tammy Franklin (@kirkfranklin) (@iamtammyfranklin) and Miss Juneteenth director Channing Godfrey Peoples (@cgpeoples) some of our favorite #Juneteenth...
Published 06/19/20
This was an extra beautiful week to be Black! Just in time for our 50th Anniversary, Farrah Fawx (@farrahfawx) set our Instagram feeds ablaze with her jaw-dropping contribution to the #ESSENCEChallenge. The hashtag exploded all over our feeds and is now filled with thousands of stunning, Blackity-Black photos - a much-needed reminder of our beauty and resilience.
Published 06/18/20
The only reason we’re not tired of seeing #RelationshipGoals is because of couples like Kirk (@kirkfranklin) and Tammy Franklin (@iamtammyfranklin). Not only are they faith-filled, they are FUNNY. They had us cracking up. We had a blast with this playful couple discussing everything from Kirk’s music process to how to keep the faith in difficult times to...that’s right… how the two of them met! Get into this fun and uplifting conversation with The Franklins! Don’t forget to use...
Published 06/12/20
For our final episode of the Black Moms on the Front Lines Series, we speak with three Black mothers who are reporters. Michelle Relerford (@mrelerfordnbc), Checkey Beckford (@Checkey4NY), and Janai Norman (@janai.norman). Their experiences though different, have one very important thing in common, these women are clear about their impact on the daily lives of Black people.
Published 06/11/20
She’s back! Y’all know Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross) is an ESSENCE sweetheart! This conversation was so full of love, honesty, and light - we didn’t want it to end! We talked about everything from the heartbreak of what’s going on in the US today to celebrating ourselves, to...our favorite ways to drink tequila! We love that Tracee has etched in stone two of our favorite, empowered Black woman leads (shout out to Joan Carol Clayton, Esquire and Dr. Rainbow Johnson!) and she’s now given...
Published 06/05/20
New Orleans. ESSENCE’s home-away-from-home has done an extraordinary job of flattening the COVID-19 curve due to the guidance and tireless efforts of Mayor LaToya Cantrell (@mayorcantrell). The city that defines what it means to thrive in the wake of disaster has become something of a case study for the rest of the country and we are so honored to have the chance to unpack Mayor Cantrell’s action plan and how her beautiful city keeps hope alive in the face of disaster. Her love for the city...
Published 06/04/20