Da Hood Talks Podcast

Join host Vanna as she talks with Carlos Ball from Cary on the Ball Inc to learn about how he and his family turned a tragic loss into motivation to not only serve their community but also advocate for change in the way police interacts in our community! Listen in to see how the organizations gives back to the community, especially the ones that witnessed and was impacted by the family personal loss on April 24th, 2013.

Join host Vanna as she talks with another community guests panelists on being black and just trying to LIVE yo best life! In this conversation, we will explore the barriers preventing black people from being able to thrive and not just surviving. We also will discuss how these guest panelists find joy in their lives and their suggestions on how as a community of people we can get more Black Joy in our lives.

In this episode of our Storytelling Segment we hear from a man who experienced the life of the streets and the all so normal circumstances of just trying to survive, even at a young age. We learn of his experience with prison and the struggle to get on his feet when he was released to how he now is feeling like he has finally made it where he wants to be and hopes sharing his story will inspire others.

Listen in as Host Vanna talks with Dr. Jason Purnell who has recently taking on the role of Vice President of Community Health Improvement at BJC HealthCare and an associate professor in the Brown School at Washington University. He and his team is doing some dope work that impacts OUR community. He also does work around HEALTH EQUITY WORK you can go visit healthequityworks.wustl.edu to learn more about this work. Listen in to this episode to hear from Dr. Purnell himself on what their team plans to do, what they have done, already are doing and his personal why for doing this unconventional work.

Join Host Vanna as she talks with Therapist Gerald Bentley of STL who keeps it REAL & RAW about his experience being a black man therapist, the black men and black women relationships dynamics and the current "simp" culture that is not only denying black men the space to be vulnerable and emotional, but also affecting black mens mental health. This conversation will bring a black mans point of view that we don't get to hear often.

Join host Vanna as she talks with the Founder Arriel Bivens-Biggs of Young Biz Kidz and The Mom Boss. We discuss her own personal journey becoming an entrepreneur, raising one and just the importance of entrepreneurship for youth in our communities. She also shares advice on how you can use entrepreneurial skills to help parent your child. Grab your notebook and tune in for this informative conversation that can help bring out the entrepreneur in you and your child!

In this episode, Host Vanna and a panel of black women from the community of STL to talk all about black women and sisterhood. We discuss so much in this conversation like how black women can better their relationships with one another and how black sisterhood could better benefit the community as a whole. If you think it is important we uplift sisterhood in our community, then TAP IN!

Join host Vanna as she talks with Kevin Harris a Behavioral Health Specialist and Recovered Alcoholic about Addiction. From his professional and personal experience we learn about addiction, the resources that can be helpful and of the support that is needed and not only from professionals. This conversation unveils a lot and we hope it sparks more conversations on the growing issue of addiction in our community but also give light to the solution of recovery!

Join host Vanna as she talks with Co-Founder of the Lawrence Strawbridge Foundation to learn about how they formed a great organization that supports Youth going off to College, from an unfortunate incident and more!

Join host Vanna as she talks with a variety of Community Guest about Crime in our communities. We discuss the impact it leaves on the community, what we as a community can do to prevent it and much more. Once you listen we hope you send to someone else because the hope is this REAL & RAW Conversation can spark a needed change.