In recent years, the importance of wellness and mental health has gained much-needed attention, with more people recognizing the value of self-care and emotional well-being. As part of this growing conversation, Black-owned wellness podcasts have emerged as essential platforms, offering unique perspectives and culturally relevant insights on mental health, self-love, and holistic wellness. From discussions on mindfulness and mental health advocacy to practical tips for navigating life's challenges, these 6 Black-owned podcasts provide a powerful voice in the wellness space, offering wisdom, healing, and inspiration. In no particular order, here are 6 you should definitely know.
Brown Girl Self-Care
I've been a huge fan of Brown Girl Self-Care (BGSC) since I started my wellness journey back in 2020. BGSC, founded by Bre Mitchell, serves as a refuge where Black women are prioritized and empowered through holistic tools for healing, joy, abundance, and wholeness.
Spotlight episode: You Don't Have To Have It All Figured Out Right Now, Ok?
As someone who is currently going through a transition period, my waiting season - this episode truly spoke to me! Bre opens a conversation about the societal pressures of achieving certain milestones or standards by specific ages. Ultimately, Bre reassures listeners that it's perfectly okay to be uncertain, encouraging everyone to embrace their journey regardless of their life stage.
I recently wrote about this same topic a few weeks back in my blog post, 3 Lessons Learned While in My Post-Grad Season. There's no timeline to your success or having everything figured out. It's okay to redefine yourself at whatever age you choose to do so. It's never too late to start over. Allow this BGSC podcast episode to serve as a gentle reminder that your journey doesn't have to be perfect. Give yourself grace and compassion.
Therapy and Prayer
It's okay to have Jesus and a therapist, too! Connecting faith and mental health, Therapy and Prayer is a faith-based wellness podcast hosted by Camille Lewis, a licensed therapist based in Houston, Texas. I initially came across Therapy and Prayer via TikTok where Camille spoke about how God's will is better than your ask. Essentially, what God has for you is better than what you're asking for. Immediate like. Immediate save. Immediate repost. Immediate follow. Because yessss! I needed to hear those words, to be encouraged to trust God's plan over my own.
Therapy and Prayer is filled with lots of gems! In fact, I've made it a habit to listen to an episode during my Monday workouts as it helps me to set the intention for the new week. Self Centeredness, Temperance, and Spiritual Fruit, is a recent episode that I enjoyed where Camille shares ways on how we can balance our personal routines and self-control, the difference between self-discipline and self-control, dealing with an all or nothing mindset, over indulgence (brain rotting), and more.
The Couch with Joy & Friends
Shoutout to TikTok for connecting me with this motivational podcast! I often listened to The Couch with Joy & Friends podcast while I was in grad school, as a way to unwind following a long school/work day. Founded by certified life coach Joy River, The Couch with Joy & Friends podcast gives listeners an array of helpful topics including nutrition, entrepreneurship, how to navigate difficult conversations, healthy love languages, becoming your best self, forgiveness, and sooooo much more.
An episode that I fell in love with was Overwhelmed and Overcoming; A Moment with Joy. This episode will give you some well-needed encouragement on how to tackle being overwhelmed, dealing with a heavy plate, and new transitions - something that I often dealt with as a grad student juggling my school work, research, internships, and a long-distance relationship at the time. If you're struggling with feeling overwhelmed, please give this episode a listen. Joy will give you sustainable tips on how to overcome this complex feeling. Joy also encourages listeners in knowing that you don't have to carry the weight of the world by yourself - you weren't created to do life alone. It's okay to ask for help.
Balanced Black Girl
Y'all already know, Balanced Black Girl (BBG) is my favorite wellness podcast of all time. Started in 2018, Les Alfred founded the BBG podcast and blog to connect Black women with wellness experts, gurus, and a mindful community. A top-rated podcast featured in TED, The Good Trade, Buzzfeed, and more - BBG honors what it means to be balanced and happy. There's an array of topics that BBG explores including lifestyle, social health, emotions, and even finances. Les is also a literary lover for all of my #booktok and #bookstagram girlies - Kennedy Ryan was featured on an episode!
Here's a recent episode that I loved: How to Refresh Your Wellness Routine This Fall. Les shared a few simple and enjoyable ways to refresh your wellness routine for the new season. Although the Fall months have already begun, it's not too late to tap into a new wellness routine!
Quality Queen Control
Here's another faith-fueled wellness podcast for you! Started by Asha Christina, The Quality Queen Control Podcast discuss various lifestyle and wellness topics including finding God's peace, Christian dating, waiting seasons, biblical friendships, and more. Generally, most topics are lifestyle topics. However, Asha's recent episode, Take Every Thought Captive!!! will forever serve as one of my go-to tools for when my mental health, particularly my negative mindset gets the better of me.
Friends, our thoughts are so powerful. Our thoughts can easily influence our emotions, which in turn can affect our behavior and choices. This Quality Queen Control episode will help you to cultivate a faith-based, positive mindset. Asha gives us scriptures and biblical concepts that serve as our daily reminders to keep going, even when the going gets tough!
Black Girls Heal
Now THIS is one of my OG wellness podcasts! I started listening to Black Girls Heal (BGH) in the midst of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown where like many folks around the world, my mental health was in shambles. BGH, created by Shena Lashey, helps women of color love addicts and avoidants heal from unresolved trauma, unhealthy relationship patterns, and improve their self love. With 260+ episodes, BGH is an essential guide in helping those dealing with intimacy, attachment, and low self esteem issues.
Now I will say that I don't often listen to BGH these days as I've healed from my past love trauma -shoutout to Jesus, my old therapist, and my amazing husband. But one recent episode that I intend to listen to is Episode 263: Checking the Facts When You're in Conflict. Shena gives us practical steps to take for regulating emotions and improving conflict resolution - transferable skills that can help us in all areas of life.
Bonus: What Are You Growing Thru? (Podcast + Blog)
It's a must that I share one of my closest friend's wellness podcast + blog, What Are You Growing Thru? by mental health professional, Kristen Richardson. Kristen tackles numerous topics that will help you in learning to love on your growing self in a new way. The Art of Accepting is a recent episode that I enjoyed where Kristen emphasizes the importance of perceiving reality as it is rather than how we wish it to be. By confronting the truth of our circumstances and the people around us, we can either choose to accept our situation or decide to make a change. Overall, this discussion highlights the struggle many face in letting go due to resistance to acceptance. If you can relate and you're ready to get uncomfortable and grow, check out the What Are You Growing Thru? podcast.
I hope that these Black-owned podcast platforms will resonate with you and inspire your journey towards better wellness. Remember, your mental health matters and so does your healing. Prioritizing your well-being is an ongoing process, and finding spaces that uplift and support you is essential.
If you have any wellness podcasts that I should tap into, feel free to connect with me via Instagram. Until next time, friends!
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