If you’ve ever given birth, how much did you really know about the process beforehand? Were you prepared for the pain? How long the whole thing might last? The mommy-sized diapers?! So much of mommyhood is shrouded in mystery until we actually get there, but there’s no reason for that to be the case. By opening up about our experiences, we can demystify it for those who come after us. 

Today, I welcome Chen and Lei, the hosts of the While They Nap podcast. Chen and Lei are two mamas navigating their way through this crazy thing we call mommyhood—and podcasting about it!

Tune in and listen to episode 47 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Chen, Lei, and I are talking about the tumultuous time for women that we’re living in, what it’s like for them as women in Canada, and why it's so important for us mamas to have a support group.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Why it’s so important to work toward a sense of peace, especially if it means tuning out all the other distractions (04:42)
• Healthy boundaries are integral in maintaining your sanity (05:43)
• How the tone change in the US has become palpable over the last few years (08:01)
• Why we have to look beyond formal education to teach our children about their culture and their power (09:33)
• How Chen and Lei met and started While They Nap (13:49)

Connect with Chen & Lei:

• While They Nap on IG
• Listen to WTN

Resources mentioned:

• Because of Them We Can subscription box
• Mocha Moms
• Black Moms Connection
• Black Queens of Durham
• Unlearn

Let’s Connect!

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Twitter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mamas, we are in a global reality check. It’s been proven—even though we thought we were for so long, we are not fine. The good news? There are people out there who have made it their mission to help clean up this giant mess we’ve found ourselves in. 

Today, I’m sitting down with Dr. Jessica Shepherd. Jessica is a mama and OB/GYN dedicated to helping women broach taboo health topics. She is also the founder of Her Viewpoint, an online women's health forum, Chief Medical Officer of Verywell Health, and CEO and founder of Sanctum Med & Wellness, a social wellness club in Dallas.

Tune in and listen to episode 46 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Jessica is telling me all about her background in wellness, why it’s so hard to discipline ourselves, and why so many Americans are plagued by chronic illness. We’re also talking about how we have to acknowledge the ugly side of ourselves before we can get well and how we do (and don’t) approach the subject of gun violence in schools with our kids. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How Jessica encourages her clients to be proactive about their health (03:32)
• Why 80% of Black women in America suffer from uterine fibroids (09:22)
• The boundaries around work that Jessica sets with her family (12:57)
• Why Jessica believes that gun violence is a public health crisis (16:58)
• What it was like for Jessica growing up in a first generation Canadian household (21:55)
• How Jessica keeps herself centered and authentic while she’s in the public eye (25:34)

Connect with Dr. Jessica Shepherd:

• Website
• Instagram

Let’s Connect!

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Twitter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer may not be officially over here in the western hemisphere, but it is officially back to school season for kids and mamas alike. It means back to work, back to goals, and back to intentions for all of us. This year, I’d like you to view the new school year as not just a return to the grind, but also a chance for both you and your babies to level up.

Today, I have a guest joining me that I’ve spoken of many times, but have never officially welcomed to the show. I’m joined by my one and only Munch, AKA my daughter Nyla, for a candid conversation.

Tune in and listen to episode forty-five of Mamaste with Tanika Ray.  I’m sharing with you a real life mamaste moment and a conversation that I think is incredibly important as we head into fall. You’ll hear Nyla and I talk boundaries, especially those around our bodies, and why they’re so important for us to have. I also talk about learning to honor an emotional child’s emotions and I’m celebrating many of the amazing mamas I’ve featured on Mamaste so far.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Gentle parenting can be tense! (06:08)
• It’s important that I throw my daughter a love bomb in order to counterbalance moments of discipline (10:30)
• Nyla’s dad and I have very different methods of parenting—and that complicates things (15:30)
• About some of the incredible moms who I’ve talked to on Mamaste over the last 45 episodes (18:58)
• When the kids go back to school, it’s time for us to get back in touch with ourselves (35:44)

Let’s Connect!

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Twitter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These days, it seems like most of our time is spent “doom scrolling” Instagram and TikTok… but what is that actually doing to our minds? What you’re consuming through your phone is just as important as what you’re putting into your body, especially for children. The next time you’ve spent the afternoon scrolling, take a step back and evaluate how it’s really made you feel—it might just be time to step back, reassess, and take a good long break.

Today, you’ll hear part two of my interview with Mumu Fresh. Mumu, AKA Maimouna Youssef, is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and MC who’s also a mama making her way in the wild world of the music industry.

Tune in and listen to episode forty four of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Mumu and I do a little bit of rapid fire Q&A and talk about how she is determined to raise her child devoid of generational trauma, toxicity, and outside influences.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The greatest thing Mumu’s son has taught her (04:04)
• Mumu’s best mommy hack (08:33)
• What Mumu wishes she’d known about giving birth before it happened (09:16)
• Why Mumu is grateful for some of the things her mother didn’t introduce her to (16:19)
• Mumu’s three favorite books that inspire her as a mommy (21:34)
• What Mumu tells her son about navigating the world so that fear isn't at the forefront (25:43)

Resources mentioned:

• books by Wayne Dyer
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab 

Connect with Mumu Fresh:

• Instagram
• Website
• iTunes

Let’s Connect!

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Twitter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every motherhood journey is different. Whether you’re doing it on your own, with a partner, or you have a whole damn village on your side, this mommying thing is hard work. But the one thing we all need, regardless of our relationship status? LOVE. Whether it’s a lover, a friend, a parent, a sibling… We all need a shoulder to cry on, to commiserate with, and to support us— because the mama journey shouldn’t have to be a lonely one. 

Today, you’ll hear part two of my conversation with Ananda Lewis. Ananda is my incredible sista friend who came to fame on BET’s teen summit and reigned as a VJ and host in MTV’s heyday. Ananda is an amazing mother who is focused on breaking generational curses and unapologetically teaching her child about race and his role in this world.

Tune in and listen to episode 43 of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Ananda is telling me all about her healing journey and where she stands now with her cancer diagnosis. We’re also talking about the importance of love and support for moms, taking time for ourselves, and Black Girl Magic. Ananda and I are truly aligned; we both live life outside the box, and I hope you get a chance to hear that in our conversation.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The specific diet Ananda follows in order to keep herself in cancer-fighting shape (04:30)
• The three things Ananda must have in order to be her best mommy self (07:33)
• Ananda’s greatest mommy hack (14:30)
• Ananda’s 7-year-old son’s incredible reaction when she told him about her illness (16:34)
• How Ananda is raising her son to honor and respect girls (27:53)
• Ananda on her own personal theme song (31:10)

Check out part one of my conversation with Ananda right here.

Connect with Ananda Lewis 

• Instagram

Let’s Connect!

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Twitter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Your big feelings are acceptable, too, mama. Your rage, your anger, your fear, your guilt, your irritation—you're not always going to like being a mom. That shit is normal.” 

There are only two ways of parenting. Yes, you read that right! Of course, there are a million different techniques and philosophies we can follow to raise our children… But when it comes down to it, you either parent how you were parented OR you make a conscious decision to break whatever cycle you emerged from.

Today, you’ll hear part two of my interview with Manifest Destini AKA Destini Ann. Destini is a mama of two who uses her profound, Maya-Angelou-like wisdom to promote intentional parenting. Destini takes the psychology of parenting and turns it into fun, digestible content for her community.

Tune in and listen to episode forty two of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Destini and I talk about what her village looks like, her thoughts on anxiety, depression, and ADHD, and why it’s so incredibly important to make sure that we’re the models our kids deserve.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Sometimes even your child’s most unpleasant phases are totally developmentally normal (05:50)
• As parents, we need to take a pause and make sure we’re honoring our children as fully formed human beings (11:26)
• Some of the frustrations that come with parenting an extremely resilient child (19:45)
• What co-parenting looks like for Destini and her family (22:48)
• Kids often don't remember what you do. They remember how you make them feel (26:21)
• That black women often have trouble putting themselves first(32:56)

Listen to part 1 of my interview with Destini Ann here!

Connect with Destini Ann:

• Website
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Facebook

Let’s Connect!

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Twitter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Conscious parenting.” If you’re a regular listener, you’ve heard me use the phrase countless times. During my pregnancy, I was in total denial about parenting before I stumbled upon the concept of conscious parenting. It was the only thing that made me feel confident about raising a child when I was completely lost and totally petrified. 

Today, I’m welcoming back Dr. Shefali Tsabary for part two of our conversation. She is an acclaimed author, international speaker, New York Times best seller, and fellow mama. Her blend of clinical psychology and eastern mindfulness has set her apart as a leader in the field of mindfulness psychology. She also speaks at events around the globe, spreading her message of conscious parenting and mindful living.

Tune in and listen to episode forty one of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Dr. Shefali is giving real, authentic, and unapologetic answers to all of my questions. We’re talking about how our children inspire us and what we’ve learned from them and Dr. Shefali is telling me how her daughter’s incredible spirit was the catalyst for conscious parenting.

Some questions you’ll hear answered:

• If you had to bring three non-negotiable things to your mommy journey, what would they be? (09:32)
• What are the five must-have parenting rules? (11:20)
• What is your favorite guilty pleasure? (20:11)
• How do you see humanity? What is the greatest thing that we can do to help shift collectively? (27:25)
• Is there an amount of detachment that gets you through the day? (30:09)

Connect with Dr. Shefali:

• Website
• Instagram
• A Radical Awakening by Dr. Shefali Tsabary
• The Conscious Parent by Dr. Shefali Tsabary

People mentioned:

• Kita Rose on IG

Let’s Connect!

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Twitter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Out of all of the many spaces I’ve belonged to, none have felt quite as fitting as “mom.” My mommy transformation has been an incredible, life altering ride, but in the end, I wouldn’t trade this gig for the world. 

Today, I’m welcoming a new mama friend, Nubia Henderson. Nubia is the founder of kids jamm and Legacy of Love, two programs designed and dedicated to helping the African American community heal intergenerational trauma and create a legacy of love by incorporating the tools of breathwork, movement and meditation into daily life.

Tune in and listen to episode forty of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Nubia and I talk about how we are blessed with our children, the power of the mama collective on social media, and breaking the cycle of generational trauma with your own babies.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Nubia and I share a lot of similarities with our roads to mommyhood (03:56)
• How Nubia used her pregnancy to prepare herself for motherhood (05:57)
• Nubia’s mission: to make yoga and the mind-body connection accessible (12:08)
• Presence is key (15:25)
• Some of Nubia’s favorite yogis to follow on social media (20:00)
• Why women should prioritize the mind-body connection (23:25)

Connect with Nubia:

• Instagram
• Website

Yogis referenced:

• Chelsea Loves Yoga (Chelsea Jackson)
• Yirser Ra Hotep
• Octavia Raheem
• Krishna Kaur Khalsa
• Lana Reed (formerly Shakta Khalsa)

Previous episodes mentioned:

• Dr. Shefali, Radically & Consciously REAL AF
• Manifest Mommying AF with Destiny Ann
• Young Love Journey to Mama Influencer with Destiny Bennet

Let’s Connect!

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Twitter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doesn’t it feel about time for a little midsummer pick-me-up and palate cleanser? I know I could certainly use one. It’s so important, even when times are dark, to make sure that we’re prioritizing love, light, and positivity. 

Today, I’m welcoming Brely Evans, my mama friend and one of the brightest lights there is. Not only is she a gorgeous, illuminating presence, she’s also an actress, a producer, and a queen of Instagram and TikTok.

Tune in and listen to episode thirty nine of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Brely tells me how she’s never given up on her dream of giving birth, the power of practicing daily “I Ams”, and never letting your fears get in the way. We also talk about the relationship that inspired her song “Don’t Date Down” and why everything she touches turns to gold.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Brely’s journey to mommyhood and her message to mommies in waiting (02:47)
• How Brely is raising her son as a black man with love for himself (08:18)
• The unique spirituality outside of religion that Brely lives by (12:58)
• Why Brely trusts her gut above all else (15:56)
• Brely’s favorite saying: “I don't network, I let God work.” (20:08)
• Why you should find a mate who’s life you find attractive (28:44)
• Where you can watch Brely (33:26)

Connect with Brely:

• Instagram
• Website
• TikTok
• Download "Don't Date Down"

Let’s Connect!

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Twitter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let’s be real: there are a lot of things going on in our atmosphere right now. We’re going through a paradigm shift and the way we make money is quickly changing—the way it worked before won’t be the way it works in the future. As women, we have to realize that it’s time to stop being an employee and become an employer… And nobody is doing that more successfully than we are! 

Today, I’m chatting with Rochelle Graham Campbell, CEO, natural hair guru, and mama bird. Rochelle founded Alikay Naturals, a beauty & lifestyle brand that prioritizes high quality ingredients, from her kitchen as a college student and has since taken the company world wide.

Tune in and listen to episode thirty eight of Mamaste with Tanika Ray. Rochelle is telling me about getting her start on YouTube, her inspiration, and falling in love with her hair. We also talk about her big switch from pre-law to creating a hair care line and how growing up in Jamaica influenced Alikay and the ingredients she uses.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• All about Rochelle’s Big Chop (07:37)
• How Rochelle’s early mistakes informed her journey to natural hair sage (12:16)
• About the creation of Rochelle’s first product and how it sold out—instantly! (15:07) 
• My own decision to wear my hair natural and what it means to me (21:03)
• Different textures aren’t good or bad—they’re just different (22:31)
• About Rochelle’s mommying journey (25:50)

Connect with Rochelle & Alikay:

• Rochelle on Instagram
• Alikay Naturals on Instagram 
• Alikay Naturals website

Let’s Connect!

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Twitter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.