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.

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• Leave a review on Apple or Spotify
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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! 

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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.

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