I’m joined by Dr. Donna Oriowo—award-winning therapist, educator, and author known for her bold, no-BS approach to identity, intimacy, and liberation. Together, we unpack the roots of self-esteem and explore how race, gender, and cultural conditioning shape how we see ourselves—and how we can begin to unlearn it all.

We talk about:

• Why self-esteem isn’t just a personal journey—it’s political
• The role of community and culture in how we view ourselves
• The connection between disembodiment, pleasure, and worth
• What true liberation and worthiness really feel like
• Practical ways to begin healing your sense of worth through joy, community, and intention

Resources You Might Also Like:

• The Black Joy Playbook by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts
• Past episode with Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts 
• Be Well, Sis Substack
• Drink Water and Mind Your Business by Dr. Donna Oriowo

This episode is part of our Summer of Joy series—an invitation to do the deep work of coming back home to yourself with softness, honesty, and community.

💌 Stay Connected:

Loved this episode?

• Share it with a friend or your group chat
• Leave a review on Apple or Spotify
• Tag us @bewellsis_podcast and @drdonnaoriowo with your favorite moment

And don’t forget to hydrate and mind your business. 🖤

Guest Spotlight: Dr. Donna Oriowo (oreo-whoa!) LICSW, CST, is an award-winning DEI advocate, international speaker and certified sex and relationship therapist in the Washington D.C. metro area. Dr. Donna is the owner of private practice, AnnodRight, which specializes in working with Black women on issues related to colorism and texturism and its impacts on mental and sexual health. Dr. Donna specializes in working with Black women to feel Free, Fabulous, and F*cked! She is the author of Drink Water & Mind Your Business and Cocoa Butter & Hair Grease, and the host of a biweekly community space for Black women called In My Black Feelings. Dr. Donna collects inspiring quotes, eats donuts, loves pasta, travels to learn, gives COVID safe handshakes, warm hugs, and (figurative) knocks on the head.

Sign up to my Summer of Joy journey through my substack here for journal prompts related to this episode! 

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!

We’re supporting St Jude’s- 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.