Fullness, Soft Life & the Things We Learned to Survive

HMO vs. PPO, Medical Bills, and the Future of Healthcare with Gabriella Rodgers

***** No new episode this week, but this conversation is too helpful not to revisit. If healthcare has ever left you frustrated or confused, this one’s for you. We have all been there. A bill arrives that doesn't match the EOB. The prior authorization is stuck in limbo. Your doctor left the practice and now you have to start over. Healthcare is confusing by design, and most of us are navigating it without a map. In this episode, Tanya and Jessica sit down with Gabriella Rodgers, a healthcare professional who works on the provider side, negotiating contracts between health systems and insurance companies. She breaks down how the system actually works, from how rates get set to why your bills sometimes don't add up, and what you can do about it. They cover: * HMO vs. PPO vs. value-based care, and how to actually choose what's right for you * What an EOB is and why it matters when your bill arrives * Prior authorizations, claim disputes, and how long they can really drag on * The growing tension between insurance companies and health systems * What value-based care means for patients (and why California is ahead) * The doctor shortage and what it means for finding a primary care physician * How to advocate for yourself when the system isn't working Gabriella brings clarity, context, and a perspective most of us never get to hear. If you have ever felt lost in the healthcare maze, this episode is the one to share.   **Enjoying the show? Buy us a coffee! Your support helps us keep the convo real, the mics on, and the vibes strong. https://coff.ee/podcastgirg [https://coff.ee/podcastgirg] We invite you to become part of our community. If you have questions for our hosts or want to suggest a topic for the show, please email us at podcast.girlcallme@gmail.com [podcast.girlcallme@gmail.com] * Website: www.girlcallme.com [http://www.girlcallme.com] * Follow on Instagram: podcast.girlcallme * Follow on Facebook: @girl.callmepodcast * Join our YouTube Channel: @PodcastGirlCallMe

The Culture Check: Black Women Winning, Wimbledon & Sisterhood

This week on Girl... Call Me with Tanya and Jessica, it's time for The Culture Check. From Wimbledon to Beyoncé, Black love to sisterhood, we're catching up on the stories that had us talking all week. We share our thoughts on Black women winning on and off the court, the next generation of tennis stars including Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, the lasting impact of Serena Williams, and why representation continues to matter. We also dive into Black love in pop culture, Essence Festival, Beyoncé's latest release, and the moments that made us laugh, reflect, and celebrate. Along the way, we talk about community, privilege, resilience, and the power of showing up for one another. If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about Black culture, women's sports, current events, entertainment, and the stories shaping our communities, you'll feel right at home here. Subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who loves a good conversation. **Enjoying the show? Buy us a coffee! Your support helps us keep the convo real, the mics on, and the vibes strong. https://coff.ee/podcastgirg [https://coff.ee/podcastgirg] We invite you to become part of our community. If you have questions for our hosts or want to suggest a topic for the show, please email us at podcast.girlcallme@gmail.com [podcast.girlcallme@gmail.com] * Website: www.girlcallme.com [http://www.girlcallme.com] * Follow on Instagram: podcast.girlcallme * Follow on Facebook: @girl.callmepodcast * Join our YouTube Channel: @PodcastGirlCallMe

Men's Health, Different Perspectives & Listening Beyond Our Bubble

This week, Tanya and Jessica challenge each other to do something we don't do enough: listen to voices outside our own bubble. What started as a podcast challenge leads to an honest conversation about men's health, prostate cancer awareness, pancreatic cancer, aging, identity, and why hearing perspectives different from our own can make us more informed and more compassionate. Along the way, they discuss Jennifer Lewis' unforgettable conversation with Keke Palmer, Nia Long's thoughts on the word "auntie," the excitement of the World Cup, and the importance of advocating for yourself and the people you love. Sometimes the conversations that stretch us are the ones we need most. Listen in, then tell us: What's one podcast, book, or voice that helped you see the world differently?   **Enjoying the show? Buy us a coffee! Your support helps us keep the convo real, the mics on, and the vibes strong. https://coff.ee/podcastgirg [https://coff.ee/podcastgirg] We invite you to become part of our community. If you have questions for our hosts or want to suggest a topic for the show, please email us at podcast.girlcallme@gmail.com [podcast.girlcallme@gmail.com] * Website: www.girlcallme.com [http://www.girlcallme.com] * Follow on Instagram: podcast.girlcallme * Follow on Facebook: @girl.callmepodcast * Join our YouTube Channel: @PodcastGirlCallMe

AI Is Already in Your Life: Risks, Bias, and How to Use It Wisely

***** We’re bringing back this episode because the conversation hasn’t slowed down, it’s accelerated. If anything, the topics we covered are even more important now.   Most of us underestimate how deeply AI is already woven into everyday life, from social media feeds and Netflix recommendations to healthcare decisions with real consequences. But when does a helpful tool become an intrusive threat? In this episode, Jessica and Tanya unpack the risks and benefits of AI, from biased facial recognition to health data gaps that impact communities of color. They explore how AI shapes what we see, how we are tracked, and how accurately we are diagnosed. You will hear about how AI is used in law enforcement, the tension between innovation and privacy, and practical ways to use AI as a thought partner without giving up control of your data or identity. AI is already here. The real question is whether you are steering the wheel or just riding along. **Enjoying the show? Buy us a coffee! Your support helps us keep the convo real, the mics on, and the vibes strong. https://coff.ee/podcastgirg [https://coff.ee/podcastgirg] We invite you to become part of our community. If you have questions for our hosts or want to suggest a topic for the show, please email us at podcast.girlcallme@gmail.com [podcast.girlcallme@gmail.com] * Website: www.girlcallme.com [http://www.girlcallme.com] * Follow on Instagram: podcast.girlcallme * Follow on Facebook: @girl.callmepodcast * Join our YouTube Channel: @PodcastGirlCallMe

Fallen Ladies, World Cup Fits & Juneteenth Joy

This week, Tanya returns from San Miguel de Allende with a bruised knee, a sore hip, and a few hard-earned lessons after officially joining the city's unofficial club of "fallen ladies." Meanwhile, Jessica shares how AI unexpectedly became her personal stylist, leading to a conversation about confidence, style, and reinventing yourself. The conversation moves from Mexico to the FIFA Club World Cup, where the arrival fits, international pride, and global community have Tanya and Jessica cheering for everyone. They reflect on Haiti's return to the world stage, the joy of seeing people celebrate their cultures, and why sports still have the power to bring people together. They also celebrate a long-awaited New York Knicks championship, proving that sometimes loyalty really does pay off. Plus, Juneteenth traditions, the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, Pride Month celebrations, and this week's Shine Sis Shine. As always, it's friendship, laughter, culture, and a few unexpected detours along the way.     **Enjoying the show? Buy us a coffee! Your support helps us keep the convo real, the mics on, and the vibes strong. https://coff.ee/podcastgirg [https://coff.ee/podcastgirg] We invite you to become part of our community. If you have questions for our hosts or want to suggest a topic for the show, please email us at podcast.girlcallme@gmail.com [podcast.girlcallme@gmail.com] * Website: www.girlcallme.com [http://www.girlcallme.com] * Follow on Instagram: podcast.girlcallme * Follow on Facebook: @girl.callmepodcast * Join our YouTube Channel: @PodcastGirlCallMe