Black. Loved. Free. Podcast

yeah, I said it. 

forgiveness is a tool of oppression, and it’s time we unlearned forgiveness so that we can live truly self-determined lives.

In today’s episode we are redefining “forgiveness.”

In our testimony section, we’re tussling with bell hooks’s Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self-Recovery.

In our Living in Alignment segment, Brendane reviews The Polygamist (spoilers 1:06:46 - 1:10:49) and gives some practices to cultivate the primary form of forgiveness that matters: self-forgiveness.

By the end of this episode, I hope that you will be inspired to forgive on your own terms.

Affirm: I will be a menace to my enemies.

Interested in diving deeper into your practice of Ruthless Self-Devotion? Book a call with me here.

Want to book a live reading with me? Book here. 

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Resources

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Entry on Forgiveness

Russell, Luke and Brandon Warmke, "Forgiveness", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2026 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.), URL = <https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2026/entries/forgiveness/>.

bell hooks. Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self-Recovery

Marimba Ani. Yurugu: An Afrikan-Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior

“I am who the world and I have never seen before.”

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Like life is unlivable, untenable, and truly just not it? Perhaps you have been giving too much of your time and energy to everything and everybody else, at the expense of your own bodyspiritmind. Enough! You cannot do the work of empire by destroying your own life, or worse, submitting your destiny to fear.

It's time to take your life back. Your destiny awaits you. Your ancestors and spirit guides want to assist you in this journey. Allow them.

In today's episode we are redefining "reclamation" using Marimba Ani's Let the Circle Be Unbroken.

In our testimony section, we're learning about the process of pain faith labor and loving, the tool Audre Lorde used to reclaim her life in the face of fear and rage while she battled cancer.

In our Living in Alignment segment, Brendane gives practical prompts and strategies for reclaiming your life and destiny in apocalypse.

By the end of this episode, we hope that you will be inspired to take on the new beginning in your life with strength and power.

Affirm: I will not lay my destiny at my enemies' feet.

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As long as we set the bar for “real” womanhood and “real” manhood to be what our oppressors have, we will never be free. Black liberation will never be found by letting Black men be violent as white men are. Black liberation will never be found through the patriarchy. No matter how allegiant you are to the ideals, people, and institutions that oppress you–no matter how many trinkets they give you to cover up your chains–it doesn’t change the reality that you are still in chains. It doesn’t change the reality that you are still burdened. Let’s not choose oppression, people!

In today's episode Brendane unpacks misogynoir and the centuries long battle of Black women addressing misogyny, abuse, and mistreatment in Black communities. She also responds to some of the online harassment she has received.

Timestamps

Misogynoir Defined 5:37

Tracing Misogynoir through the centuries

• Anna Julia Cooper 11:06

• Michele Wallace 38:29

• Courtney Desiree Morris 1:06:18

Exploring the Tweets 1:21:25

Resources

Dr. Kalyn Coghill

On Misogynoir: Citation, Erasure, and Plagiarism

Dr. Feminista Jones

bell hooks, The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love

Michele Wallace, Black Macho and the Myth of the Black Superwoman

Johnetta B Cole and Beverly Guy-Sheftall, Gender Talk: The Struggle for Women’s Equality in African American Communities,

Anna Julia Cooper Biography

Courtney Desiree Morris, Why Misogynists Make Great Informants, 

The world-that-is is crumbling. You’ll need your own good grace to survive.

We are back with another episode on grace.

First, we clear the air by defining grace, distinguishing it from mercy, clemency, and leniency. The grace we need to survive is the opposite of the grace offered to us in Christianity. That is what makes it life-saving.  

In our Testimony section, we read Sara Makeba Daise’s “Be Here Now: The South is a Portal” as a Black and African guide on cultivating grace through presence. 

In our Living in Alignment section, we talk about the ways we can cultivate grace in our lives (for ourselves and those who deserve it). 

If you need to incorporate more grace into your life, this episode is for you!

Happy Black History Month and Happy Lunar New Year! BLF turned 2 on February 24th! Read more about the journey here.

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Resources

Sankofa Shadow Work: Diaries of a Diasporic Diviner by Sara Makeba Daise

being black: zen and the art of living with fearlessness and grace by Angel Kyodo Williams

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

I desire to survive.

Happy Gregorian New Year! In today's episode, we explore the spiritual-political meaning of desire at the end of empire. Brendane read Audre Lorde's The Uses of the Erotic and discuss how now is the time to identify the truths of the worlds we aim to build and to commit to our survival by any means necessary. Finally, we end with some meditations on aligning with our destinies and desires.

Chapters

Introduction & Thank Yous 0:00

Brendane's 2026 Ins and Outs + Channeled Message for 2026 3:37

Clear the Air: Desire 16:47

Testimony 21:52

Living in Alignment 58:35

Resources

Brendane's Channeled Message for 2026

Saint Xolani's Message

The Shape of My Impact by Alexis Pauline Gumbs

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"My grief is black."

In this episode, Brendane explores the intricate relationship between grief, oppression, and transformation. Through personal anecdotes and ancestral wisdom, the conversation delves into how grief is often dismissed in oppressive systems, yet is essential for healing and liberation. The discussion emphasizes the importance of embracing death as a natural part of life, recognizing the complexities of personal grief, and understanding the role of community in navigating these emotions. The episode also highlights the significance of Mami Wata as a spirit guide for healing and the necessity of confronting darkness to achieve true transformation.

Keywords

grief, oppression, death, transformation, community, ancestral connections, healing, Mami Wata, spirituality, black liberation

Takeaways

Grief is often seen as an impediment to progress in oppressive systems.

Embracing death is crucial for understanding the cycle of life.

Personal grief can be complex and multifaceted, often tied to societal expectations.

Community plays a vital role in navigating grief and loss.

Grief can be a powerful catalyst for transformation and healing.

Ancestral connections provide insight into our relationship with grief.

Mami Wata symbolizes the importance of embracing darkness for healing.

Oppression often requires individuals to carry the grief of their community.

Rejecting the grief of oppressors is essential for maintaining sovereignty.

True transformation comes from acknowledging and integrating grief into our lives--and from refusing the grief of our oppressors.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Grief: A Collective Breath

07:10 Reclaiming Grief: Love Beyond Loss

12:11 Oppression and Grief: A Complex Relationship

16:29 Seeking Wisdom: Elders and Ancestors

23:50 Integrating Death into Living: A Path Forward

29:29 The Intersection of Grief and Spirituality

40:31 Rejecting Oppression: A Personal Stand

47:34 The Cycle of Grief and Destruction

52:57 Heaven, Grief, and Transformation

53:37 The Complexity of Personal Grief

59:29 Understanding Oppressor's Grief

01:06:33 Darkness, Transformation, and Liberation

01:13:17 Embracing Grief for Self-Devotion

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References

1. Saidiya Hartman, "Litany for Grieving Sisters"

2. Audre Lorde, The Cancer Journals

3. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, Opening to Darkness: Eight Gateways for Being with the Absence of Light in Unsettling Times

4. Beyoncé is not your savior

Description

You are worth liberating because you are, beloved. Do you believe that you are worthy of new beginnings?

In the latest episode of "black. loved. free," host Brendane Tynes explores the transformative power of Ruthless Self-Devotion within the framework of Black feminist practice. Delving into personal experiences and spiritual insights, Brendane discusses the journey of reclaiming one's spirit, body, and mind from oppression. Through the lens of Black feminist theory and indigenous spiritual practices, this episode invites listeners to embrace vulnerability, self-reflection, and community transformation. Join us for an inspiring conversation on living with integrity and purpose. #RuthlessSelfDevotion #BlackFeminism #SpiritualHealing

Chapters

1. Introduction and Welcome (0:00 - 2:00)

   • Brendane introduces the podcast and the themes of the new season.

2. Reflecting on the Hiatus (2:01 - 5:00)

   • Discussion on the year-long break, grant applications, and the evolution of the podcast.

3. The Parable of Talents (5:01 - 10:00)

   • Insights from the biblical parable and its relevance to personal growth and independence.

4. Understanding Ruthless Self-Devotion (10:01 - 15:00)

   • Introduction to the concept of ruthless self-devotion and its significance in Black feminist practice.

5. Personal and Spiritual Growth (15:01 - 20:00)

   • Exploration of personal growth, spiritual practices, and the challenges of self-discovery.

6. Community and Ancestral Support (20:01 - 25:00)

   • The importance of community support and ancestral guidance in the journey of self-devotion.

7. The Role of Initiation (25:01 - 30:00)

   • Discussion on initiation as a transformative process in spiritual and personal growth.

8. Lessons from Oya and Transformation (30:01 - 35:00)

   • Insights from the story of Oya and the power of transformation.

9. Navigating Personal Challenges (35:01 - 40:00)

   • Brendane shares personal experiences and the lessons learned from recent challenges.

10. Embracing Change and Self-Worth (40:01 - 45:00)

    • Reflections on self-worth, embracing change, and the journey towards self-acceptance.

11. Conclusion and Call to Action (45:01 - End)

    • Brendane wraps up the episode with a call to embrace change and live authentically.

    
    

    References

    1. Orisha Oya Bring Me Change  by JuJu Thyme

    2. Jambalaya: The Natural Woman’s Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals by Luisah Teish

    3. How To Enter Into Your Rest by Jeida K. Storey 

    4. Hoodoo Book of Flowers by Arthur Rickydoc Flowers

    5. Mules and Men Part 2 by Zora Neale Hurston

    6. “Survival Marvels: The Portal Poetics of Cheryl Clarke”, Alexis Pauline Gumbs 

    7. Women’s Wisdom from the Heart of Africa, Sobonfu Somé 

    8. The South is a Portal, Sara Makeba Daise  

       Sankofa Shadow Work: Diaries of a Diasporic Diviner, Sara Makeba Daise

       10. Everyone is in love with me (and with you!), Amissa

       Follow us on Instagram at @BlackLovedandFree and subscribe to our Substack and YouTube channel for more insights and updates. Don't forget to rate and review us on Spotify to help us reach more listeners!

When life under domination is all you've known, how do you resist?

In the last episode of our first season, Brendane discusses surrendering to change. We are in a collective, global transition that promises to leave us different than how we began. Change and transition can be scary. In these times, we can choose to live in denial and refuse to acknowledge change, or we can surrender to change with power and righteous certainty. 

To help us understand how to resist even in times of total domination, we turn to June Jordan’s wisdom in "Notes Toward a Model of Resistance" (1996). Content warning: There are mentions of rape at 19:28-21:25 and 38:30-40:04. Note that there are no descriptions of rape in the episode. Please take care while listening.

We end with questions for compassionate reflection that help us embrace the change necessary for our survival.

Share this episode with someone who needs some encouragement during these moments of transition.

We’ll be back for season 2 in the fall! Keep up with us on our Substack: black. loved. free. - behind the mic. There Brendane will share weekly updates on the research and writing for season 2 along with other exclusive content.

You can support the podcast by donating or giving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Follow us on Instagram at blacklovedandfree.  

Got an idea for a future episode of the podcast? Want to give us feedback? Send an email to [email protected]

Happy Juneteenth!

We wouldn't be a podcast dedicated to Black liberation if we didn't have a Juneteenth episode. This week we are asserting that abolition is the only way. First, Brendane defines abolition and talks about the spiritual side of freedom work. She talks about her own radical Black feminist abolitionist practice She also talks a little bit about how some of these Black queer feminists don't be about community but claim to be abolitionists. (TLDR: if your abolitionist politics prioritize those with race, gender, and class privilege, then you probably are doing carceral politics by another name). Finally, we end with some questions to reflect on our own abolitionist practices.

Follow us on Instagram at @/blacklovedandfree. Visit our website blacklovedandfreepodcast.com to learn more about the podcast & the team.