Be Well Sis: The Podcast

Certified breathwork facilitator and founder of The Self-Care Suite Tara Pringle Jefferson joins us to reframe self-care beyond consumerism. Drawing from her new book Bloom How You Must: A Black Woman’s Guide to Self-Care and Generational Healing, Tara unpacks the “strong Black woman” narrative, shares what was happening in her life when her doctor literally prescribed rest as medicine, and points out practical ways to build support, not just stamina. We get into social and professional wellness (hello, sabbaticals), the power of “third places,” why it’s important to indulge creative rituals that aren’t rooted in perfectionism, and the intergenerational wisdom she gathered from talking to 100 Black women ages 19–99. Plus: Toni Morrison’s lesson on boundaries, Coretta Scott King’s vocation-as-service, and a simple mandate for 2026 (remember you’re human).

For more from Tara:

Bloom How You Must (book + tour dates)

The Self-Care Suite (Tara’s community)

Tara on social: @WearWomenBloom (IG / Facebook / Threads)

Connect with Be Well, Sis:

Instagram – @bewellsis_podcast

Substack – bewellsis.substack.com

Follow, rate, and share this episode!

We’re supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 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 your own 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.

 In this special New Year’s Eve episode, we’re looking back on 2025 and reflect on rest, rejection, joy, grief, and community. We revisit some of the conversations, cultural moments, and personal lessons that shaped the year, while naming what we’re proud of for simply making it through.

What are we leaving behind? And what are we carrying forward into 2026?

This episode is an invitation to release what no longer serves us and step into the new year with more intention, softness, joy, and more of ourselves.

Connect with Be Well, Sis:

Instagram – @bewellsis_podcast

Substack – bewellsis.substack.com

Follow, rate, and share this episode!

We’re supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 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 your 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.

Join us as we take a look back on some of our favorite chats with Love, Sex & Relationship Experts! We’re joined by Dr Donna Oriowo, Mandii B, Dr Candice Nicole and Francesca Hogi. Together we cover everything from why you should always drink your water to how to find true love and intimacy in the digital age!

More About The Guests:

• Dr Donna Oriowo - award-winning therapist, educator, and author of Drink Water & Mind Your Business
• Mandii B - co-host of the Decisions Decisions podcast and co-author of No Holes Barred: A Dual Manifesto of Sexual Exploration and Power.
• Dr Candice Nicole- award-winning psychologist and author of Good Sex: Stories, Science, and Strategies for Sexual Liberation. 
• Francesca Hogi- Host of Dear Franny Podcast and author of How to Find True Love: Unlock Your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships

Connect with Be Well, Sis:

Instagram – @bewellsis_podcast

Substack – bewellsis.substack.com

Follow, rate, and share this episode!

We’re supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 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 your 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.

This week we’re taking a look back on what it means to prioritise joy- and how to live that soft life. We’re joined by EbonyJanice, Brandee Younger, Alana and Samra from She Well Read and The TV Doctor’s Dr. Michele Foss and Ashley Johnson. Together we cover everything from the revolution of rest, to what it REALLY means to be well read. 

Join us for an episode packed full of laughter, honesty and light!

More About The Guests:

• EbonyJanice | Founder and CEO of The Free People Project and author of All The Black Girls Are Activists 
• Brandee Younger | Grammy-nominated Harpist, check out her latest album Gadabout Season
• Alana and Samra | co-hosts of the She Well Read Podcast
• Dr. Michele Foss and Ashley Johnson | The TV Doctor Podcast

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 your own Not Well, Sis rant to contribute? Click here to send it into the show!

Connect with Be Well, Sis:

Instagram – @bewellsis_podcast

Substack – bewellsis.substack.com

Follow, rate, and share this episode!

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

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.

Independent audio producer and creative powerhouse TK Dutes joins us to share the story behind her new audio documentary; The Secret Life of TK Dutes- a project born from burnout, medical dismissal, and the pressure to shrink herself to be palatable.

We talk about unlearning a “be small and quiet” upbringing, how we navigate the industry and about rebuilding a life rooted in joy, creativity, and visibility.

Find out more about TK and the podcast here.

Connect with Be Well, Sis:

Instagram – @bewellsis_podcast

Substack – bewellsis.substack.com

Follow, rate, and share this episode!

We’re supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 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.

We’re celebrating the season by bringing you a special holiday episode featuring never-before-heard clips from some of our recent guests. From favorite seasonal dishes to nostalgic moments and new traditions, join us as we hear from: Anela Malik, Maya Elious, Adell Coleman, Hannah Eko, Octavia Morgan, and members of the Be Well, Sis team! This episode is a celebration of culture, comfort and connection – however you spend the season, we hope this episode brings a little joy to your day!

Connect with Be Well, Sis:

Instagram – @bewellsis_podcast

Substack – bewellsis.substack.com

Follow, rate, and share this episode!

We’re supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 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.

Palliative care nurse turned fragrance founder and CEO Octavia Morgan joins us to share how scent became both a healing practice and a business, ultimately leading to Ulta Beauty’s first Black- and woman-owned prestige fragrance house. Octavia breaks down practical layering, budget-friendly ways to customize your signature scent, and how she created her first fragrance, Legendary, for her hospice patients. We also get personal about the leap from nursing to entrepreneurship, fear vs. obedience, and the one non-negotiable that keeps her centered: a daily hour of self-devotion. Stay for her holiday recs and a rapid-fire on unexpected notes (hello, oud), “soft life” accords, and the power of pouring into yourself first, so you can better show up for everyone else around you.

In this episode we discuss:

• Layering 101: build from the heaviest scent, then medium, then light
• Clean, sensual scents that don’t read “essential oil”
• Founder wellness: the one-hour daily ritual & how to move stagnant energy
• Taking the leap: getting contracts, “burning the boats,” and betting on your calling
• Holiday picks: Dark Rose, Vanilla Supreme, and 4- and 8-piece discovery sets

Connect with Octavia:

• https://octaviamorgan.com/
• https://www.ulta.com/ 

Connect with Be Well, Sis:

Instagram – @bewellsis_podcast

Substack – bewellsis.substack.com

Follow, rate, and share this episode!

We’re supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 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.

In this episode, we’re catching up on what it means to show up as our best selves, even when life feels full. We talk about getting older (and making peace with it), investing in the little things that make us feel good, and finding beauty in the smallest everyday rituals.

So grab your tea and let’s catch up, sis to sis.

What's On My Radar 🔗

• A Happy Pocket Full of Money: Infinite Wealth and Abundance in the Here and Now by David Cameron Gikandi
• Less Is Liberation by Christine Platt
• YSL Concealer 
• LTK (LikeToKnowIt) Storefront 
• My Everyday Makeup Staples

Connect with Be Well, Sis:

Instagram – @bewellsis_podcast

Substack – bewellsis.substack.com

Follow, rate, and share this episode!

We’re supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 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 nourishing conversation, we sit down with author and creator Hannah Eko to explore what it means to choose bliss in a world that glorifies burnout.

Drawing from her book Honey Is the Knife, Hannah unpacks how Black women can transform wounds into wisdom and reclaim pleasure as both a birthright and a spiritual practice. Together, they explore the beauty of softness as protection, and how embracing joy can be a radical, healing act.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for wanting ease or joy, this episode is your permission slip to rest, feel, and return to yourself.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why choosing bliss is not escapism, but a form of resistance and liberation
• The importance of curating environments that allow Black women to stay soft and whole
• Hannah’s journey from self-sacrifice to self-honoring — and what being a “punk spiritualist” really means
• How pleasure connects us to our ancestors and offers a pathway to healing generational pain
• Reframing wellness: moving beyond constant self-improvement toward true self-acceptance

Connect with Hannah:

Website: hannaheko.com

Instagram: @hannah.eko

Substack: hannahekwrites.substack.com

Connect with Be Well, Sis:

Instagram – @bewellsis_podcast

Substack – bewellsis.substack.com

Follow, rate, and share this episode!

We’re supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital- 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 today’s episode, personal trainer and future pelvic floor physical therapist Röbynn Europe demystifies all things pelvic floor health: what it is, why it matters, and how to get help when needed. Röbynn breaks down the “core as a box” (diaphragm, abs, back, pelvic floor), explains Kegels beyond the basics (the dreaded/loved “elevator” holds), and shares signs something needs attention: from incontinence to painful sex, low-back/groin pain, and post-birth changes (including after C-sections). We also dig into why men, too, should train their pelvic floors (especially lifters), and how much knowledge and representation are power when it comes to pelvic health. 

In this episode, we discussed:

• The “core as a box” model and why pelvic floor strength anchors it
• Kegels, including progressive “elevator” reps and timed holds
• Red flags to look out for: different types of incontinence, incomplete emptying, painful sex, pelvic/low-back pain
• Postpartum & the value of pelvic floor therapy even after a C-section
• The importance of pelvic health for men
• The value of representation and knowledge in improving Black health outcomes through pelvic floor care
• 
  

📌 Resources & Links

Röbynn Europe, PT

Find a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist (APTA Pelvic Health Directory)

Pelvic Floor Disorders Overview (U.S. Office on Women’s Health)

Prostate Cancer Info & Support (American Cancer Society)

Urology Care Foundation: Pelvic Floor Conditions

Connect with Be Well, Sis:

Instagram – @bewellsis_podcast

Substack – bewellsis.substack.com

Follow, rate, and share this episode!

We’re supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital- 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.