Therapy for Black Girls

We couldn’t let this month go by without having a conversation about one of my favorite things, music. While we’re only halfway through the year, there have already been so many major moments, from iconic performances to albums that push past genre limitations. These culturally-defining moments have all been sparked by artists we love, and we’d be remiss not to celebrate the ongoing impact of Black artists in music. In honor of Black Music Month, we're joined by Mankaprr Conteh, staff writer at Rolling Stone, and Delisa Shannon, short-form content director at Billboard. Together, we unpacked some of the standout moments of 2025 so far, talk about the artists who are redefining the rules, and reflect on what Black music continues to teach us about innovation, identity, and joy. 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! [https://click.convertkit-mail.com/27uv20p9mpioh8edr34s8ug63w344hg/kkhmh2uneqgxp2ul/aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVyYXB5Zm9yYmxhY2tnaXJscy5jb20vdGhlcmFwaXN0c3VtbWl0Lw==] 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 [https://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. [https://www.sisterhoodheals.com/]   Where to Find Our Guests Mankaprr Conteh IG - @mankaprr [https://www.instagram.com/mankaprr/] Check out her work: https://tinyurl.com/428bxscv [https://tinyurl.com/428bxscv]  Delisa Shannon IG - @delisamarie_ [https://www.instagram.com/delisamarie_/] Check out her work: https://www.delisashannon.com/ [https://www.delisashannon.com/]    Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/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.  https://click.convertkit-mail.com/27uv20p9mpioh8edr34s8ug63w344hg/58hvh8ug08p6wzc6/dGhlcmFweWZvcmJsYWNrZ2lybHMuY29tb3JibGFja2dpcmxzLmNvbS9wYXRyZW9u Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox [https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox]. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory [https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory]. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/shop]. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls [https://www.twitter.com/therapy4bgirls] Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls [https://www.instagram.com/therapyforblackgirls] Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls [https://www.facebook.com/therapyforblackgirls]   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

This episode is dedicated to all of the newly minted college graduates! You're likely feeling a mix of emotions as you step into what's next, and we invite you to take a moment to process what you're feeling. We also want to make sure you're not so busy focusing on what's next that you don't celebrate the huge accomplishment you've achieved.    Make sure to follow us on social media: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tbguniversity/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@tbguniversity] Interested in being a part of a future TBG U episode or suggesting a topic for us to discuss, send us a note HERE [https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox].  Order a copy of Sisterhood Heals for you and your girls HERE [https://www.sisterhoodheals.com/].    Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producer: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, I’m joined by our incredible producers for a fun and insightful conversation about some of the pop culture moments that have been giving us life lately. We're diving into Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour and what it means for how we understand Black womanhood and creativity, unpacking the emotional and spiritual layers of the new film Sinners, and reflecting on the quiet power of the Netflix series Forever. 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! [https://click.convertkit-mail.com/27uv20p9mpioh8edr34s8ug63w344hg/kkhmh2uneqgxp2ul/aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVyYXB5Zm9yYmxhY2tnaXJscy5jb20vdGhlcmFwaXN0c3VtbWl0Lw==] 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 [https://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. [https://www.sisterhoodheals.com/]   Where to Find Our Guests Ndeye Thioubou All Socials: @Ndeyelasoul Ellice Ellis Instagram: @ellicellis Tyree Rush All Socials: @Tyrelvin   Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/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.  https://click.convertkit-mail.com/27uv20p9mpioh8edr34s8ug63w344hg/58hvh8ug08p6wzc6/dGhlcmFweWZvcmJsYWNrZ2lybHMuY29tb3JibGFja2dpcmxzLmNvbS9wYXRyZW9u Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox [https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox]. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory [https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory]. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/shop]. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls [https://www.twitter.com/therapy4bgirls] Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls [https://www.instagram.com/therapyforblackgirls] Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls [https://www.facebook.com/therapyforblackgirls]   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Dr. Lana Holmes, who you may remember from Session 222: How Horror Films Help Us Process Life, joins us again to explore sexuality through the lens of kink and BDSM practices  often misunderstood but rich with opportunities for healing, agency, and reclaiming pleasure. We unpack common myths, discuss how these communities prioritize communication, boundaries, and consent, and challenge the racialized and gendered stereotypes that have long shaped Black women’s relationships with their own desires. This episode invites listeners to break past taboo narratives and embrace fuller, more authentic expressions of sexuality. 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! [https://click.convertkit-mail.com/27uv20p9mpioh8edr34s8ug63w344hg/kkhmh2uneqgxp2ul/aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVyYXB5Zm9yYmxhY2tnaXJscy5jb20vdGhlcmFwaXN0c3VtbWl0Lw==] 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 [https://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. [https://www.sisterhoodheals.com/]   Where to Find Our Guest Website: https://www.inclusivetherapywellness.com/lana [https://www.inclusivetherapywellness.com/lana] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-holmes-psy-d-348972186 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-holmes-psy-d-348972186]  Session 222: How Horror Films Help Us Process Life with Dr. Lana Holmes: https://therapyforblackgirls.com/2021/08/25/session-222-how-horror-films-help-us-process-life/ [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/2021/08/25/session-222-how-horror-films-help-us-process-life/]    Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/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.  https://click.convertkit-mail.com/27uv20p9mpioh8edr34s8ug63w344hg/58hvh8ug08p6wzc6/dGhlcmFweWZvcmJsYWNrZ2lybHMuY29tb3JibGFja2dpcmxzLmNvbS9wYXRyZW9u Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox [https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox]. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory [https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory]. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/shop]. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls [https://www.twitter.com/therapy4bgirls] Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls [https://www.instagram.com/therapyforblackgirls] Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls [https://www.facebook.com/therapyforblackgirls]   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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! [https://click.convertkit-mail.com/27uv20p9mpioh8edr34s8ug63w344hg/kkhmh2uneqgxp2ul/aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVyYXB5Zm9yYmxhY2tnaXJscy5jb20vdGhlcmFwaXN0c3VtbWl0Lw==] 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 [https://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. [https://www.sisterhoodheals.com/]   Where to Find Our Guest Instagram - @maryfrancesphillips [https://www.instagram.com/maryfrancesphillips/?hl=en] maryfrancesphillips.com [http://maryfrancesphillips.com]  Instagram - @ericka_huggins [https://www.instagram.com/ericka_huggins/]   Stay Connected Join us in over on Patreon [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/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.  https://click.convertkit-mail.com/27uv20p9mpioh8edr34s8ug63w344hg/58hvh8ug08p6wzc6/dGhlcmFweWZvcmJsYWNrZ2lybHMuY29tb3JibGFja2dpcmxzLmNvbS9wYXRyZW9u Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox [https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox]. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory [https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory]. Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/shop]. The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.   Make sure to follow us on social media: Twitter: @therapy4bgirls [https://www.twitter.com/therapy4bgirls] Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls [https://www.instagram.com/therapyforblackgirls] Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls [https://www.facebook.com/therapyforblackgirls]   Our Production Team Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis Producers: Tyree Rush & Ndeye Thioubou See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.