In this Science Me segment of Lorie Out Loud, host Lorie Jean Akanbi sits down with lactation nurse and future family nurse practitioner Sonja Howie, BSN, RNC-MNN, IBCLC, to break down the real science—and the real struggles—of breastfeeding.

From the moment milk production begins to mastering a pain-free latch, this episode unpacks what’s really happening in the body during lactation, and why so many moms are left feeling confused, unsupported, or in pain.

Sonja shares expert insight on:

• The truth about milk supply and why many moms think they don’t have enough
• What a proper latch should feel like (hint: not pain!)
• How to manage mastitis, engorgement, and tongue ties
• Pumping best practices (including flange fit and wearable pumps)
• The emotional weight of breastfeeding and why grace over guilt matters
• Culturally competent care and how generational beliefs shape feeding choices
• Planning for breastfeeding success—at home and when returning to work

Whether you’re a new mom, a returning parent, or a partner trying to help, this conversation offers practical, compassionate, and evidence-based tools to help make breastfeeding a less stressful and more supported experience.

👶🏽 Give yourself grace. You’ve got this.

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Corporal Shamica Spears’ journey starts with her birth on a military base in North Carolina and stretches across continents, basketball courts, and the front lines of public service. From going viral on Social media to being named Deputy of the Year, standing tall at 6’4”, Shamica shares what it means to lead with grace, serve with strength, and stay grounded in authenticity—even under the spotlight.

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This episode includes the following segments:

Fashion View featuring HiTarget Fabric and Maxi Dress; Diversity Is A Gift featuring Tyeast Blanding, owner of Nubian Citi; and Aunty’s Corner featuring Lorie Akanbi’s maternal ancestry reveal.

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This episode features the segments Fashion View (Maxi dress, Holland Veritable Wax fabric), Featured Artist (featuring Uzo Njoku), and Science Me: Menopause featuring Jenna Perkins, WHNP.

Thanks for listening! Support Lorie Out Loud podcast via Cashapp: $LorieOutLoud

A space where we celebrate bold voices, beautiful minds, and big dreams. Where curiosity meets creativity, culture, and courage. Where we laugh loud, cry if we need to, and lift each other up in truth and joy. Where we speak courageously and passionately from the soul, and almost nothing is off-limits.

Lorie Out Loud Episode 4 features the segments Fashion View (high/low dress/GTP fabric), Speak Your Mind (episode 2 featuring Richard Hoge, Jr.), and Aunty’s Corner (episode 2, Why didn’t she just leave? featuring Joy Ingram discussing domestic violence and Cassie Ventura’s testimony in the Sean Combs trial.)

Thanks for listening! Support Lorie Out Loud podcast via Cashapp: $LorieOutLoud

A space where we celebrate bold voices, beautiful minds, and big dreams. Where curiosity meets creativity, culture, and courage. Where we laugh loud, cry if we need to, and lift each other up in truth and joy. Where we speak courageously and passionately from the soul, and almost nothing is off-limits.

The segments in Episode 3 include Fashion View, (Kaba and Slit/Kente Cloth), Featured Artist (Nate F. Austin), Say What? (TWI Family Terms) and She Got Hands (Debut with Nancy Horn).

Thanks for listening! Support Lorie Out Loud podcast via Cashapp: $LorieOutLoud

A space where we celebrate bold voices, beautiful minds, and big dreams. Where curiosity meets creativity, culture, and courage. Where we laugh loud, cry if we need to, and lift each other up in truth and joy. Where we speak courageously and passionately from the soul, and almost nothing is off-limits.

The segments in Episode 2 include Fashion View (C4, Tema, Ghana; Vooglam), Speak Your Mind debut (Nhandi Hoge), and Diversity Is A Gift debut (Darrelynne Strother).

Thanks for listening! Support Lorie Out Loud podcast via Cashapp: $LorieOutLoud

A space where we celebrate bold voices, beautiful minds, and big dreams. Where curiosity meets creativity, culture, and courage. Where we laugh loud, cry if we need to, and lift each other up in truth and joy. Where we speak courageously and passionately from the soul, and almost nothing is off-limits.

The first episode of Lorie Out Loud features the segments Fashion View (Off the rack A-line), Featured Artist (Cocoroshi), and Aunty’s Corner (Who is Lorie Jean Akanbi: Past, Present, Future; African Ancestry test)

Thanks for listening! Support Lorie Out Loud podcast via Cashapp: $LorieOutLoud