Be Well Sis: The Podcast

What does it mean to work hard AND live soft? In this episode, Messaging Expert & Business Strategist Maya Elious joins us to talk about building a life rooted in purpose, not pressure.

Maya shares her journey from the first entrepreneurial project of designing MySpace pages in college, to leading successful coaching programs for women of faith and ambition. Together, they unpack what it looks like to balance hustle with healing, and how discernment, discipline, and a touch of serendipity, all play a role in creating a softer life.

In this episode we discussed: 

• Building purpose-driven businesses through faith and discernment.
• How to create systems that support peace.
• Shifting the mindset from scarcity to abundance.
• Finding strength and community in friendships and asking for help without guilt.

Find out more about Maya’s community and podcast; Work Hard Live Soft here and follow her on Instagram @mayaelious

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.

When award-winning executive producer and creator Adell Coleman lost her mother to violence, her world changed forever. In this deeply moving conversation, she shares how her new project, Echoes of Her: To Mom, With Love, helps Black women navigate grief, honor their mothers, and find healing through community.

In this episode, we discussed:

• The story behind Echoes of Her and why Adell felt called to create it

• Navigating trauma, motherhood, and grief while learning to ask for help

• Why community and storytelling are essential for healing

• How grief evolves—but never fully disappears

• Finding joy and remembering loved ones through shared stories

📌 Resources & Links

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT the Echoes of Her crowdfunding campaign 

Connect with Adell on Instagram→ @iamadellcoleman

Listen to the Echoes of Her podcast

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.

Author and creator Anela Malik joins Dr. Cassandre Dunbar to explore American Soul: The Black History of Food in the United States. Together they unpack the wellness wisdom in Black food traditions—and how honoring soul food can be a radical act of self-care.

In this episode, we discussed:

• How National Geographic discovered Anela Malik and sparked American Soul

• Why Black and Indigenous foodways were the first “farm-to-table” movement

• The real story behind soul food and wellness

• Writing a book while running a business + navigating ADHD

📌 Resources & Links

  Follow Anela Malik – @feedthemalik | feedthemalik.com

BUY book – American Soul: The Black History of Food in the United States

Connect with Be Well, Sis:

 IG – @bewellsis_podcast

Substack – bewellsis.substack.com

🎧 Follow & rate the show wherever you listen.

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.

 Shame is heavy—and most of us carry more of it than we realize. Therapist and author Dr. Zoe Shaw joins me to unpack complex shame and share what it really takes to heal, reclaim your worth, and show up fully as yourself.

Therapist and author Dr. Zoe Shaw introduces the concept of complex shame—a deeper, more persistent form of shame that can’t be erased with outside compassion alone.

Dr. Zoe opens up about her own story of teenage pregnancy, being sent away to a maternity home, and the years of overachievement she used to mask her pain. She explains how complex shame develops, the many ways it shows up—racial, generational, religious, body, gender—and why real healing requires self-compassion, accountability, and forgiveness.

At the heart of her message: you are worthy to show up exactly as you are.

✨ In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between “simple” shame and complex shame
• Dr. Zoe’s personal journey through secrecy, grief, and overachievement
• The many forms of shame and how to recognize them
• Why self-compassion is non-negotiable for healing
• Tools for forgiveness and rewriting your story
• How releasing shame creates freedom, authenticity, and hope

📌 Resources & Links

• Connect with Dr. Zoe: drzoeshaw.com | @drzoeshaw
• CLICK HERE to buy her book Stronger in Difficult Places
• Recommended read: Black Woman Grief by Natasha Smith

💌 If this conversation resonated, join my Substack community for reflections, resources, and behind-the-scenes insights.

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.

So many of us have been taught to ignore our bodies—to overwork, overgive, and override our intuition. In this episode, I’m joined by intuitive psychic medium and author Aycee Brown, who shares how human design, astrology, numerology, and ancestral wisdom can guide us back home to ourselves.

Aycee Brown brings a refreshing, grounded perspective to the world of spirituality. As a psychic medium and teacher, she uses tools like human design, numerology, and astrology not as rigid labels, but as pathways to self-trust and healing.

In our conversation, Aycee reflects on growing up in a family of healers, healing from emotionally immature parents, and what it means to shed the weight of respectability politics. We talk about the traps of capitalism and hustle culture, how projectors often get mislabeled as “overnight successes,” and the importance of honoring your design in relationships.

 In this episode, we cover:

• How human design, numerology, astrology, and cardology intersect
• The truth behind “overnight success” and why projectors feel it most
• Healing the wounds of eldest daughters and emotionally immature parents
• The ways capitalism disconnects us from intuition—and how to resist
• Using your human design to navigate love, work, and friendships

Resources & Links

• Connect with Aycee: ayceebrown.com | @ayceebrown
• CLICK HERE to Pre-order her forthcoming book Embody Your Magic
• Explore Aycee’s courses and workshops on human design, astrology, and numerology

💌 Want more conversations like this? Join my Substack community for behind-the-scenes insights, reflections, and resources.

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.

What does it mean to truly belong? Author Ebony LaDelle joins me to talk about her new anthology You’ve Got a Place Here Too, a collection of love stories set on HBCU campuses that remind us how affirming it is to see yourself reflected in the pages of a book.

In this episode, Ebony opens up about her own journey to Howard University, the teacher who changed her life, and why representation in literature is not just entertainment but a radical act of healing and affirmation. We explore the ways a place becomes its own character in storytelling, what it means to raise emotionally intelligent boys, and how Black teens can learn to see themselves as worthy of safe, expansive, joyful love.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The inspiration behind You’ve Got a Place Here Too
• Why HBCUs are such powerful backdrops for stories of love and identity
• Raising boys who grow into safe, emotionally intelligent men
• How literature can expand what’s possible for Black youth and communities

Resources & Links

• Connect with Ebony LaDelle: @ebonyladelle
• CLICK HERE to buy You’ve Got a Place Here Too and Love Radio on our Bookshop.org storefront
• Visit Ebony’s site for tour dates: ebonyladelle.com/events

💌 If this conversation resonated, join my Substack community for more reflections, wellness insights, and behind-the-scenes conversations.

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.

Too many women are told that painful periods, heavy bleeding, and exhaustion are “just part of being a woman.” They’re not. In this episode, Dr. Kameelah Phillips, OBGYN and author of The Empowered Hysterectomy, breaks down the truth about fibroids, hysterectomies, and perimenopause—and why informed choices matter for every woman’s health. 

Dr. Phillips shares why nearly 80% of Black women will experience fibroids by age 50, how medical gaslighting keeps too many of us suffering in silence, and what real informed consent should look like in the exam room. With honesty and humor, she also opens up about her own journey through perimenopause, the power of hormone therapy, and why even world-class athletes like Serena Williams aren’t immune from poor medical advice.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognize the overlooked signs of fibroids (beyond heavy bleeding)
• Alternatives to hysterectomy: from hormonal therapies to minimally invasive procedures
• What perimenopause really is (and why it can last up to 10 years)
• How hormone therapy works, who it helps, and where plant-based supports fit in
• Practical ways to advocate for yourself and push back against medical gaslighting

Resources & Links

• CLICK to PURCHASE The Empowered Hysterectomy by Dr. Kameelah Phillips
•  Follow Dr. Phillips on Instagram: @DrKameelahSays
•  Learn more at Cala Women’s Health, NYC

Want more? I share unfiltered reflections, bonus wellness tools, and behind-the-scenes stories from Be Well, Sis on my Substack. Come hang out there →Bewellsis.substack.com

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.

Grammy-nominated harpist Brandee Younger reminds us that joy isn’t a luxury—it’s survival. In this episode, we dive into her latest project Gadabout Season, the realities of life on tour, and the intentional ways she’s learned to rest and replenish.

We also get real about navigating fibroids, the body’s quiet signals of exhaustion, and how art can be both medicine and resistance. From savoring good food to embracing naps and stillness, Brandee shares the everyday practices that keep her grounded—and how joy itself can be a radical act of healing.

Whether you’re an artist, wellness seeker, or just trying to find peace in the middle of chaos, this conversation will remind you to slow down, listen to your body, and claim joy in the small moments.

 In this episode, we talk about:

• The inspiration behind Gadabout Season and what it taught her about slowing down
• How touring impacts the body, mind, and spirit
• Living with and talking about fibroids 
• The small but powerful rituals that restore joy

📌 Resources & Links

• Connect with Brandee at brandeeyounger.com
• Follow her on Instagram: @harpista
• Stream/Buy Gadabout Season wherever you listen to music

💌 If this episode resonated with you, join my Substack community where I share more reflections, wellness insights, and behind-the-scenes conversations.

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.

It’s the start of a new school year so we thought we’d reshare this essential episode, in case you missed it!

We’re joined by Dr. Chinwe Williams, a licensed professional counselor, to explore the nuanced landscape of children's and adolescents' mental health. Dr. Williams breaks down how today's unique challenges – from digital overwhelm to academic pressures – are shaping our youth's mental well-being. Through practical insights and professional expertise, she guides us through recognizing the early signs of mental health struggles while offering tangible strategies for creating supportive, nurturing environments where our children can thrive.

Episode Takeaways:

• Your child's irritability and anger might be signs of deeper mental health struggles, not just typical teen behavior
• Today's kids navigate unique mental health challenges from their digital lives and academic pressures
• Resilience can be taught and strengthened through intentional parenting strategies
• When parents prioritize their own mental wellness, they show their children what healthy coping looks like
• Strong emotional bonds between parents and children create the safety net needed for mental wellness

Relevant links: 

Connect with Dr. Chinwe on Instagram and visit her website! 

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 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 solo episode, I’m wrapping up our Summer of Joy series with personal reflections, wellness updates, and what’s been inspiring me lately. From navigating heavy world events to rediscovering my gym groove, tending my garden, and diving into some incredible reads, I’m sharing the everyday joys that have been keeping me grounded.

Plus, I’m inviting you to join the conversation over on my Substack — whether you want to contribute your own reflections or simply read along.

On My Radar:

• Solo Travel with Tracee Ellis Ross (Roku) — joyful, soulful solo adventures
• Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle — a sweet, quick read for light escape
• Living in Wisdom by Devi Brown — reflections on authenticity and healing
• No Holes Barred by Mandii B & Weezy — bold, unapologetic storytelling
• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer — on reciprocity and gratitude

Want more? I share unfiltered reflections, bonus wellness tools, and behind-the-scenes stories from Be Well, Sis on my Substack. Come hang out there →Bewellsis.substack.com

Resources & Links

• Browse every book mentioned: My bookshop.org/bewellsis storefront (Affiliate Disclosure: As a Bookshop.org affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through the links provided. Every purchase also supports local independent bookstores)

Follow Be Well, Sis on Instagram: @bewellsis_podcast

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.