A’ja Wilson — WNBA champion & MVP, author of Dear Black Girls, founder of the A’ja Wilson Foundation, and entrepreneur (Burnt Wax Candle). We cover: mental health post-bubble, therapy, boundaries vs public expectations, NIL’s upside and pressure, building authentic brand deals, designing a sell-out signature shoe, dyslexia advocacy, and what a “good life” actually looks like.

Highlights

• Walk Away/Walk Through: burnout, toxic group chats, and Beyoncé-level opportunities
• “My peace is my spirit”: separating work from joy without losing either
• NIL & the college experience: grace while your brand is still forming
• Authentic partnerships: why the right brands let her be fully herself
• Dear Black Girls: embracing complexity — powerful and gentle
• Dyslexia: getting certified support into classrooms; tech that helps
• Coaching: how Staley & Hammon built trust, fun, and excellence • Burnt Wax Candle: a scent line named after A’ja’s accolades
• “Wealthy in more ways than money”: stability across every cylinder

Links

• Watch on YouTube:

• A’ja’s book — Dear Black Girls - https://a.co/d/bw2eQj4

• A’ja Wilson Foundation (dyslexia awareness) - https://www.ajawilsonfoundation.org/

• Burnt Wax Candle Co. - https://www.burntwaxcandle.com/

Related Do Tell episodes

• Sinead Bovell — AI & digital boundaries: https://youtu.be/wnN7Yw2-Q34

• Etienne Maurice — activism & community: https://youtu.be/0F4O8bkWm_g

• Latham Thomas — motherhood & intuition: https://youtu.be/vdVkJkg4c-8

Real talk on modern friendship. 👯‍♀️ Nina sits down with Trinity Mitchell (Friend Fusion) to unpack the “low-maintenance friend” myth and reframe it as self-sufficient friendships—connections rooted in honesty, effort, and healthy boundaries. From group-chat drama and ghosting to unspoken rules (don’t share your friend’s business!), they cover how to address conflict without chaos, offer grace without giving unlimited access, and let go with acceptance—not resentment.📚 You’ll learn:· “Walk away or walk through it?”—a simple framework for sticky moments· Why self-sufficiency beats “low-maintenance” (and how to build it)· The difference between being cautious vs. being cold· How to invite clarity when a new friendship feels weird· Navigating values differences (religion, politics) without losing the friendship· Practical language for setting quiet boundaries and supporting friends well🎯 Who this helps: high-capacity women, moms building community, recovering people-pleasers, and anyone ready to upgrade their friendship toolkit.—Related Episodes (watch next)Neha Ruch on Motherhood & Identity — Mother Untitled: https://youtu.be/OFRfbhFoSmMSinead Bovell on Digital Boundaries & Tech + Human Connection: https://youtu.be/wnN7Yw2-Q34Latham Thomas on Community, Care, and the Village We Need: https://youtu.be/vdVkJkg4c-8

What if our obsession with “boundaries” is actually making us lonelier? In this episode of Do Tell, Nina sits down with psychotherapist Helen Marie to unpack modern boundary culture, co-regulation, attachment, PTSD showing up around the holidays, and the healing power of rupture and repair. They explore the difference between capacity vs. desire in love, why love languages can mislead us, and a simple nervous system reset you can use anywhere (hand-on-chest ventral vagal cue).

Whether you’re a parent navigating the 0–7 window, a partner hoping to be seen, or someone heading into tricky family dynamics, this conversation is a gentle, practical roadmap back to connection.

What you’ll learn

• How therapists think through “walk away vs. walk through it” moments

• Why boundaries ≠ rigid rules (and what to do instead)

• A simple somatic regulation technique to exit fight/flight or shutdown

• How to spot capacity limits (even when desire is high)

• Why repair matters more than perfection in parenting & partnership

• Co-regulation and community as antidotes to isolation

Key topics & keywords psychotherapy, marriage & family therapy, boundaries, co-regulation, polyvagal ladder, ventral vagal, PTSD triggers, holidays & family, attachment styles, rupture and repair, capacity vs desire, love languages critique, parenting 0–7, nervous system regulation, relationship communication

Nina sits down with Molly Shaheen and Huw Collins to unpack how they scaled Maison Wheat from a single boutique into a lifestyle brand—while staying married and mostly sane. They dig into the “walk away vs. walk through it” decision filter, the realities of brick-and-mortar in 2025 (location, terms, team, and story), why saying yes accelerates growth, and how to set boundaries when you live, travel, and build together.

Topics: partner dynamics, pivots, creative control, hospitality retail, date nights, and leading a team when you disagree.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro + LA launch high 01:15 Meet Molly & Huw (Maison Wheat origin) 03:15 Icebreaker: Walk Away or Walk Through It 04:04 Prime retail opportunity—take it or pass? 05:34 Collabs vs. creative control 06:45 Vacation vs. “dream” opportunity 07:51 When your work misses—iterate or quit? 09:30 Working with your spouse (complementary strengths) 12:08 Biggest surprise after opening store #1 19:27 Keys to rapid growth in hospitality retail 23:22 Boundaries & intention in marriage + business 28:10 Making time: date nights, stop times, travel 31:13 Seasons of hustle (family support & presence) 32:05 Goal-setting, discipline, and different gears 36:25 Knowing when to pivot (instinct vs. forcing) 40:39 Disagreeing in front of the team (and fixing it) 42:18 Brick-and-mortar advice (location, terms, story, team) 45:02 Should you go into business with your partner? 50:19 Do Tell: Couples Edition game 53:06 Wrap

Links: Maison Wheat - https://maisonwheat.com/

Watch the full video on YouTube - https://youtu.be/NV8E6Vm815M

On this episode of Do Tell, Nina sits down with Dr. Raquel Martin to unpack the difference between boundaries vs. rules, why “ignoring my ‘no’ is aggression”, and how to rebuild community without cutting everyone off.

They also talk parenting (respect > control), friendship “bat signals,” and Dr. Raquel’s Burn the Cape movement creating mental-health spaces for Black women. If you’re navigating conflict, consent, or capacity in relationships, this one’s for you.

👤 Guest: Dr. Raquel Martin — Licensed psychologist & founder of Burn the Cape, building practical tools and community for Black mental health.

🎯 You’ll learn:

• A simple test for boundaries vs. rules (and why most people confuse them).

• Why “no” doesn’t mean “convince me” (consent at home, work, and online).

• How to downgrade a one-sided friendship without burning bridges.

• Practical ways to build community as a mental-health resource.

• Parenting reframe: respect builds relationships; obedience builds resentment.

Conflict doesn’t have to be scary—or destructive. In this solo episode, licensed marriage & family therapist, Nina Westbrook shares a practical, therapist-backed playbook to turn conflict into connection across romantic partnerships, parenting, family, and work. You’ll learn why conflict often triggers fight/flight, how your family history shapes your responses, when to let things go vs. stand your ground, and a simple 3-step framework to repair and move forward—without resentment.

What you’ll learn

• The hidden upside of conflict (why reps build resilience & trust)
  

• How to “serve the relationship,” not your ego
  

• Timing, tone, and language that lower defenses (“I feel…”> “You always…”)
  

• Active listening made easy (reflect, validate, then respond)
  

• A clear litmus test for what to address vs. what to release
  

Nina’s 3-Step Conflict Playbook

• 1. Get grounded before you go in (self-awareness regulates the room)
  2. Communicate to connect, not to win (seek to understand first)
     
  3. Repair & move forward (what you do after the talk matters most)

Resources & links

• • Nina’s emotional wellness app Nebbi: available in the App Store.
  • Contact the show: [email protected] or Follow on @benexnina

Entrepreneur + investor Sharndre Kushor (Crimson Education co‑founder; NZ unicorn) joins Nina Westbrook on the Do Tell Relationship Podcast to talk about building purpose‑driven tech, co‑creating the Nebbi emotional wellness app, and leading with clarity, courage, and compassion.

We get into founder decision-making, values‑aligned investing, designing simple tools that actually help, and why privacy and safety matter in mental health tech.

You’ll hear:

⚪️ How Sharndre’s upbringing during post‑apartheid South Africa shaped her lens on equity, access, and impact

⚪️ The whirlwind story behind partnering with Nina to build Nebbi

⚪️ Simple, daily practices for emotional self‑efficacy (checking in, naming feelings, and taking small actions)

⚪️ Why Nebbi is not built to keep you on your phone—and what real success looks like for wellness apps

⚪️ A pragmatic approach to copycats, misaligned investors, and holding your vision through scale

⚪️ Concrete steps Nebbi takes to protect user data and earn trustIf you’re launching something new, navigating fast growth, or trying to stay grounded while you build—this one’s for you.

Download Nebbi on iOS & Android: open your app store and search “Nebbi – Emotional Wellness”

Subscribe: @DoTellRelationshipPodcast

Follow Nina: @DoTellPodcast @ninawestbrook & @benexnina

Ever wondered how an NBA superstar and a licensed marriage & family therapist keep their relationship thriving amidst crazy schedules, three kids, and constant travel? In this candid sit-down, Russell Westbrook and Nina Westbrook peel back the curtain on:

Why open communication and vulnerability are the real MVPs in dating and marriage

The difference between providing for your family and actually connecting with them

Setting boundaries with flaky friends, toddler meltdowns, and spoiler-happy partnersHow childhood examples shape our adult relationships—and what to do if you didn’t have one

Practical “reset” rituals that keep you sane

Whether you’re single and swiping, newly engaged, or ten years deep like the Westbrooks, you’ll leave with actionable tips for nurturing a partnership that wins on and off the court.

Like, comment, and subscribe for more real-talk on relationships, mental health, and personal growth.

🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss an episode!Social & Resources

Follow Nina: @ninawestbrook

Follow Russell: @russwest44

Podcast IG: @dotellpodcast

Discover how bestselling author Kennedy Ryan is transforming lives through the power of romance fiction. In this raw and inspiring interview, Kennedy opens up about how her newest book Can’t Get Enough has inspired real-life breakups, radical self-love, and relationship revelations.

Women everywhere are re-evaluating their standards and walking away from emotionally unavailable partners. Why? Because Kennedy’s novels go beyond fantasy, they reflect what women truly deserve in love and life.

✨ In this conversation, we dive into:

• How Kennedy’s books sparked a wave of breakups

• The truth about emotional evolution in men (and why it matters)

• Why “dating yourself” is essential before dating anyone else

• Her thoughts on boundaries, reconnection, and friendship dynamics

• The non-negotiable standards women should stop apologizing for

Drop a comment:

What’s a moment - book, movie, or convo; that made you realize you were settling?

🔗 Kennedy Ryan’s latest novel, Can’t Get Enough — Available now wherever books and audiobooks are sold!
🎧 Available on Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more.

Actor, activist, and WalkGood LA founder Etienne Maurice joins Nina Westbrook for a raw conversation on trauma, purpose, and building a wellness movement for communities of color.

From surviving gun violence to launching LA’s biggest Black-led yoga collective, Etienne shares how breathwork, therapy, and community turned pain into purpose. Nina opens up about couples therapy, app entrepreneurship, and the realities of public versus private love.

What you’ll learn

✅ How WalkGood LA was born out of the 2020 protests and grew to 500+ person yoga gatherings.

✅ Practical tips for Black men’s mental health, sobriety, and setting boundaries.

✅ Why couples therapy before marriage can save relationships.

✅ Managing burnout when your work is mission-driven.

✅ Etienne’s “You Good?” healing circles and advice to his younger self.

#YogaInThePark #CommunityWellness #BlackYoga #WalkGoodLA #HealingTogether#OutdoorYoga #BreatheGood #LAEvents #MindfulMovement #YogaCommunity #SocialImpact#EtienneMaurice