I’m joined by Dr. Donna Oriowo—award-winning therapist, educator, and author known for her bold, no-BS approach to identity, intimacy, and liberation. Together, we unpack the roots of self-esteem and explore how race, gender, and cultural conditioning shape how we see ourselves—and how we can begin to unlearn it all.

We talk about:

• Why self-esteem isn’t just a personal journey—it’s political
• The role of community and culture in how we view ourselves
• The connection between disembodiment, pleasure, and worth
• What true liberation and worthiness really feel like
• Practical ways to begin healing your sense of worth through joy, community, and intention

Resources You Might Also Like:

• The Black Joy Playbook by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts
• Past episode with Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts 
• Be Well, Sis Substack
• Drink Water and Mind Your Business by Dr. Donna Oriowo

This episode is part of our Summer of Joy series—an invitation to do the deep work of coming back home to yourself with softness, honesty, and community.

💌 Stay Connected:

Loved this episode?

• Share it with a friend or your group chat
• Leave a review on Apple or Spotify
• Tag us @bewellsis_podcast and @drdonnaoriowo with your favorite moment

And don’t forget to hydrate and mind your business. 🖤

Guest Spotlight: Dr. Donna Oriowo (oreo-whoa!) LICSW, CST, is an award-winning DEI advocate, international speaker and certified sex and relationship therapist in the Washington D.C. metro area. Dr. Donna is the owner of private practice, AnnodRight, which specializes in working with Black women on issues related to colorism and texturism and its impacts on mental and sexual health. Dr. Donna specializes in working with Black women to feel Free, Fabulous, and F*cked! She is the author of Drink Water & Mind Your Business and Cocoa Butter & Hair Grease, and the host of a biweekly community space for Black women called In My Black Feelings. Dr. Donna collects inspiring quotes, eats donuts, loves pasta, travels to learn, gives COVID safe handshakes, warm hugs, and (figurative) knocks on the head.

Sign up to my Summer of Joy journey through my substack here for journal prompts related to this episode! 

Connect with me on socials- join the Be Well,Sis tribe on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube , and subscribe to the newsletter or buy me a coffee!

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at [email protected] with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever feel like you're doing all the things—and still questioning whether it’s enough? In this refreshingly real and laugh-out-loud conversation, I sit down with one of the funniest people I’ve ever met: Eboné, the powerhouse behind The Professional Homegirl Podcast.

We talk exhaustion (like existential exhaustion), overachievement, spiritual resets, and how we are constantly navigating invisible pressures—from systemic racism to internalized grind culture. But it’s not all heavy. This is one of those convos that feels like a deep exhale and a glass of wine with your homegirl who gets it.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why everyone (especially Black women) is just so. damn. tired.
• How to reprogram your mindset and reconnect with imagination
• Spiritual practices that anchor us when we’re feeling depleted
• Comparison culture, hustle fatigue, and redefining success
• A jaw-dropping story from The Professional Homegirl Podcast that’ll leave you stunned

Plus: Behind-the-scenes podcasting real talk and why telling your story might just save someone else's life.

Connect with Eboné Almon:

Follow her on Instagram → @theprofessionalhomegirl 

 Check out the show → The Professional Homegirl Podcast wherever you listen 

Connect with me on socials- join the Be Well,Sis tribe on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube , and subscribe to the newsletter or buy me a coffee!

If this episode resonated with you- share with a friend!

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at [email protected] with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo episode, Cassandre explores the emotional and mental shifts that come with motherhood, through the lens of matrescence — the ongoing process of becoming a mother.

She shares how a recent experience reshaped her understanding of mothering, identity, and the importance of giving ourselves permission to feel — not just function.

From quiet joys to the challenges that often go unnamed, Cassandre offers an honest look at the layered reality of motherhood.

This episode is a gentle reflection for anyone who mothers — in ways both visible and invisible — and a reminder that change, vulnerability, and care are all part of the journey.

Takeaways:

• Motherhood is layered, sacred, and often messy.
• Matrescence is a full-body, whole-life transformation.
• Black mothers deserve softness, support, and space to feel.
• You are allowed to evolve, to want more, and to need.

Connect with me on socials- join the Be Well,Sis tribe on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube , and subscribe to the newsletter or buy me a coffee!

If this episode resonated with you- share with a friend!

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at [email protected] with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. This episode was edited by Victoria Marin. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who said too much TV isn't good for you? Hosts of the TV Doctor podcast are here to chat about why actually, TV can be the perfect prescription for your wellness. From community, to representation, to escapism, we dive into the many ways in which watching tv might just be what you need. In this episode, Dr. Cassandre Dunbar is joined by media experts Dr. Michele Foss and Ashley Johnson, the dynamic duo behind The TV Doc Podcast. Together, they unpack how television and media shape our sense of identity, belonging, and emotional wellness—especially for Black and mixed-race folks navigating representation and community in an often isolating world.

 In this episode, we discussed:

• How TV and media help shape self-perception and racial identity
• The emotional and therapeutic impact of nostalgic shows
• Fandom as a powerful form of community and connection
• Why representation on screen matters for our mental health
• How to raise media-savvy, critical-thinking kids in the YouTube age

Whether you're a lifelong Trekkie or someone who finds comfort in rewatching Living Single, this conversation will remind you of the deep impact media can have on our wellbeing.

Guest Spotlight: Dr. Michele Foss is what happens when you combine a Professor of Rhetoric and Media in the Department of Communication Studies at Sacramento State University with an unapologetically nerdy pop culture fanatic. From the classes she teaches (ranging from Television Criticism to Media Aesthetics to Communication Theory to Methods of Fandom Studies) to the keynote addresses and invited lectures she delivers, Dr. Foss infuses heart, creativity, inclusivity, and fun into all she does. She uses her three fancy degrees and more than 25 years of boots-on-the-ground experience to make academic concepts accessible and "sticky" for her audiences. She also wears all the hats (creator, producer, editor, writer, and host) for her podcast, The TV Doctor, where she "prescribes" what you should be watching to heal your socio-cultural ailments. She's been recognized by her university for her excellence in teaching, community service, and scholarship/creative activity. 

Connect with me on socials- join the Be Well,Sis tribe on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube , and subscribe to the newsletter or buy me a coffee!

If this episode resonated with you- share with a friend!

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at [email protected] with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Introducing High Level Conversations: Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett from Levels to This with Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby.

Follow the show: Levels to This with Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby

On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby sit down with Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. They kick things off with some fun rapid-fire questions covering everything from pizza toppings to favorite music, before shifting to more serious ground — like the current state of our government and how proposed education cuts could impact lower-income families. Jasmine opens up about her bold approach to politics, the journey that led her to Congress, and why staying true to her constituents remains at the heart of her mission.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

In this solo episode of Be Well, Sis, Dr. Cassandre Dunbar shares reflections on travel, nature, and the power of pause. She recaps a joyful family trip to New Orleans, explores the healing benefits of gardening, and shares her current favorite hair care finds. 

Plus, she answers the first listener letter in the Not Well, Sis segment—reminding us that venting is a powerful form of self-care.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or in need of a reset, this episode offers gentle reminders to slow down, savor beauty, and stay connected.

Topics Covered:

• Family travel as a form of self-care
• How gardening supports emotional wellness
• Favorite hair care products right now
• Why venting matters for mental health
• The first-ever Not Well, Sis listener letter

Got a “Not Well, Sis” submission? I’d love to hear it- Send it in here!

Shop the products mentioned in the On My Radar Segment here!

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at [email protected] with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Introducing The Southwest’s Wildest Outdoor Art: From Lightning Fields to Sun Tunnels from Via Podcast.

Follow the show: Via Podcast

A secret field that summons lightning. A massive spiral that disappears into a salt lake. A celestial observatory carved into a volcano. Meet the wild—and sometimes explosive—world of land art, where artists craft masterpieces with dynamite and bulldozers.

In our Season 2 premiere, guest Dylan Thuras, cofounder of Atlas Obscura, takes us off road and into the minds of the artists who literally reshaped parts of the Southwest. These works aren’t meant to be easy to reach—or to explain—but they just might change how you see the world.

Land art you’ll visit in this episode:

Via Podcast is a production of AAA Mountain West Group.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

April is Stress Awareness Month, but let’s be honest—many of us have been stress-aware our whole lives. If you’ve been navigating anxiety, people-pleasing, burnout, or just feeling emotionally exhausted... This conversation is for you.

In this episode of Be Well, Sis, I’m joined by NK—storyteller, mental wellness advocate, and host of the podcast Basket Case. We dive into an honest conversation about what it means to care for your mental health in real, practical, and deeply personal ways.

NK shares her journey of navigating anxiety, internalized shame, and self-loathing—and how relocating to Mexico offered her a new way of living, healing, and connecting to emotional well-being. She also unpacks the power of storytelling to dismantle mental health stigma, and how ceremonial healing practices like temazcal helped her come back to her body and spirit.

We explore what it looks like to move beyond surface-level self-care and begin to replenish yourself in ways that are culturally grounded, spiritually aligned, and emotionally honest.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What high-functioning anxiety can feel like and how it shows up
• Why storytelling matters in the fight against mental health stigma
• NK’s decision to move to Mexico to support her mental wellness
• How conflict can actually strengthen relationships and build community care
• Ceremonial healing and the role of practices like temazcal in emotional release
• Why self-awareness and accountability are essential for personal growth
• How to stop performing wellness and start living it—from the inside out

Mentioned in this episode:

• Temazcal ceremony (traditional Indigenous sweat lodge for detox + healing)
• Basket Case Podcast – a space for honest conversations about mental health

About NK:

NK is a writer, speaker, and host of the Basket Case podcast—a mental health storytelling platform that centers the experiences of marginalized communities. Her work helps normalize emotional honesty, encourage personal growth, and challenge the systems that contribute to mental distress.

🎧 Listen to Basket Case: Click here to listen!

📸 Follow NK on IG here!

Stay connected with me:

• ✨ Subscribe to Be Well, Sis wherever you listen to podcasts
• 💌 Subscribe to the newsletter!
• 📱 Follow me on Instagram: @bewellsis_podcast
• 💬 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at [email protected] with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re own Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re excited to bring you a special feed drop from Rom Com Vom, a miniseries from Sex Ed with DB that dives into the messy, funny, and sometimes uncomfortable themes in our favorite romantic comedies.

This clip comes from their episode on How Stella Got Her Groove Back, where host Danielle Bezalel is joined by Dr. Candice Nicole — award-winning psychologist, associate professor at Emory University, and author of Good Sex: Stories, Science, and Strategies for Sexual Liberation. They dig into how the film handles sexuality, age gaps, grief, and what it means for Black women to prioritize pleasure and joy.

Listen to the full episode here and find Sex Ed with DB wherever you get your podcasts.

Learn more about Dr. Candice Nicole: drcandicenicole.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Black women are reimagining wellness on their own terms—beyond trends, beyond performance. In this episode, we explore what it really means to opt out, slow down, and live well.

In today’s conversation, Dr. Cassandre Dunbar is joined by Dominique Fluker, contributing lifestyle editor at Essence, writer, interior designer, and wellness storyteller. Together, they unpack the evolution of wellness for Black women, the pressure to perform self-care online, and how community, authenticity, and creativity are helping us reclaim what it means to be well.

You’ll hear about:

• Dominique’s bold leap from tech to journalism (without a backup plan)
• How Essence is shifting the narrative around Black women and wellness
• The rise of revolutionary rest and opting out as resistance
• Why “soft life” is about healing, not consumption
• Wellness trends to be cautious of—including AI therapy and TikTok fads
• The impact of curated home spaces on emotional well-being
• And why human connection is still our most powerful medicine

This episode is a love letter to self-trust, slowing down, and designing a life that reflects who you truly are.

Guest Spotlight: Dominique B. Fluker is a nationally recognized multimedia journalist, editor, content marketer, and interior design storyteller based in Los Angeles. She currently is the Contributing Lifestyle Editor at ESSENCE Magazine. She has created purpose-driven and multicultural content for iconic web and print publications like ForbesWomen, Glamour Magazine, ESSENCE Magazine, Travel & Leisure, Business Insider, Women’s Health, Variety, and more. As a culture and entertainment enthusiast, she's interviewed legendary celebrities such as Oprah, Toni Braxton, John Legend, Tracee Ellis Ross, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Robin Roberts, Serena Williams, and more. As an established advocate for diversity and inclusion within the tech and entertainment industries, she's also a noted public speaker, moderator, host, on-camera talent, red-carpet correspondent, and thought leader. 

Dominique has found solace in curating physical spaces while creating a name for herself at the intersection of digital content curation and editorial storytelling. She believes interior design is an extension of thoughtful storytelling. 2021 marked Dominique's official foray into professional interior styling with the launch of her first business, DBF Interiors. She has been featured as an interior design expert in Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, and more. 

Connect with Dominique:

Follow her on  Instagram @dominiquebfluker

Connect with her on LinkedIn 

Connect with me on socials- join the Be Well,Sis tribe on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube , and subscribe to the newsletter or buy me a coffee!

If this episode resonated with you- share with a friend!

We’re supporting St Jude’s- head over to www.stjude.org/bewellsis right now and sign up to be a monthly donor. Together, we can make a real impact.

Want to get in touch? Maybe you want to hear from a certain guest or have a recommendation for On My Radar? Get in touch at [email protected] with Be Well Sis in the subject line! Have you’re on Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.