Against My Better Judgment

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends resilience with a sprinkle of hard-earned wisdom. In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Tamara reflects on Maya Angelou's powerful exploration of identity, adversity, and finding one's voice in a world determined to silence it. She shares how this memoir shaped her understanding of courage, self-expression, and the transformative power of telling your own story, especially when others would prefer that you didn't.

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends personal evolution with a sprinkle of “none of us arrive fully formed.” In Becoming, Dannelle reflects on the power of embracing every chapter of your story, even the messy, uncertain, and unfinished ones. She explores the lessons she took from Michelle Obama’s journey of identity, purpose, and perseverance, and how this book challenged her to view growth not as a destination, but as a lifelong process of becoming.

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends self‑discovery with a sprinkle of “becoming is both beautiful and messy.” In Lovely One, Tamara reflects on the tender work of reclaiming identity — the healing, the honesty, and the courage to see yourself clearly after seasons that tried to blur the view. She explores how this book shaped her understanding of family, community, transformation, and the quiet power of choosing yourself again and again.

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends spiritual grounding with a sprinkle of “what on earth am I here for?” curiosity. In The Purpose Driven Life, Dannelle reflects on the journey toward meaning — the questions that linger, the clarity that arrives slowly, and the intentional choices that reshape how we move through the world. She explores how this book guided her toward deeper alignment, steadier faith, and a more rooted sense of self.

 This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends moral courage with a sprinkle of “the world is complicated, but integrity isn’t.” In To Kill a Mockingbird, Tamara reflects on the lessons tucked inside childhood observation — justice, heroism, and the uncomfortable truths we inherit before we even understand them. She explores how this book shaped her understanding of fairness, humanity, and the quiet bravery required to stand on truth even when the truth is unpopular.

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends body literacy with a sprinkle of “knowing yourself is its own kind of power.” In Taking Charge of Your Fertility, Dannelle reflects on the clarity that comes from understanding your body’s rhythms — the science, the self‑advocacy, and the liberation of making informed choices. She explores how this book reshaped her relationship with health, autonomy, and the confidence that comes from knowledge that should’ve been taught long before adulthood.

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends spiritual curiosity with a sprinkle of “growth requires asking for more than you’re used to.” In The Prayer of Jabez, Tamara reflects on how a short, ancient prayer expanded her understanding of possibility — the courage to seek increase, the humility to receive it, and the discipline required when blessings come with responsibility. She explores how this book shaped her relationship with faith, ambition, and the quiet audacity of praying bigger.

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends literary reverence with a sprinkle of “this book saw me before I saw myself.” In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Dannelle reflects on the primary character’s journey toward voice, autonomy, and self‑definition — the longing, the love, and the lessons that shaped her understanding of womanhood. She explores how Zora Neale Hurston’s storytelling carved space for Black interiority, desire, and resilience, and why this novel continues to echo through her own becoming.

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends introspection with a sprinkle of “silence is not emptiness.” In “Just Because I’m Quiet Doesn’t Mean I Have Nothing to Say,” Tamara explores the power of observation, the depth behind stillness, and the truth that some voices speak loudest when they choose their moments. She reflects on communication that’s intentional, thoughtful, and rooted in knowing when to speak and when to hold.

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends wellness truth with a sprinkle of “sleep is not the same as restoration.” In “Just Because I’ve Slept Doesn’t Mean I’m Rested,” Dannelle unpacks the difference between shutting down and truly recharging — the emotional, mental, and spiritual fatigue that lingers even after a full night’s sleep. She reflects on what real rest requires and why it’s more than hours on a pillow.