The stages of grief, it’s not a linear process. One day you’re at anger, next is denial then over to acceptance and then head on over to depression. In the latest episode of Real. Relatable., Jonathan, Donna’s co-host of Now We Know joins her in processing a tough breakup that left her spiraling into deep grief, worse than the grief she experienced with her divorce.

Have you battled grief? What were the ways you coped with the experience?

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

#grief #breakup #relationships #dating #love

We all have so many wonderful traditions, from your grandmother’s dressing to your aunt’s pie or the turkey your uncle fried turkey but where did these black holiday favorites come from? This episode we’re diving into our own holiday traditions and bringing in a little historical context. Jonathan shares the beauty of going to harvest their food growing up and Donna looks back on her memory of trying to replicate the un-replicatable dressing her aunt makes.

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

@RealRelatablePodcasts

www.DonnaJaneen.com/podcasts

#holiday #tradition #soulfood #thanksgiving #christmas #holidaymeal

When you want to change the criminal justice system, what better way than working on the inside? We have interviewed a black law enforcement officer to get their perspective on the rise of the arrest, and now it’s time to delve into what happens after the arrest. In this powerful and enlightening episode, Donna sits down with someone who lives and breathes criminal justice in the pursuit to change it for the better. Dr. Charlene Taylor provides some incredible insight and depth to not only where the criminal justice system is broken but how we can make a change for who we want to see come out on the other side after incarceration. 

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

#criminaljustice #lawenforcement #incarceration #reform #crimincaljusticereform

Being a working mom has its unique challenges, running your own business(es) adds another layer. What drives you to begin in the first place? How do your grow your business while maintaining relationships with yourself, others and kids at home? How do you balance It all? This week Donna chats with Jodi Covington, a proud mother and business woman who has truly found the harmony in having it all.

Instagram:

@JodiDCovington

@JDLewisGroup

@DonnaJaneen

@RealRelatablePodcasts

www.DonnaJaneen.com/podcasts

#motherhood #parenthood #entrepreneurship #business #womanempowerment

Everyone knows how drastically women's bodies change to bring children into this world, but did you know the "snap back" isn't just physical? What mental changes do parents go through? Do we ever truly return to our pre-baby selves? For women, hormonal changes can be just as challenging as the physical. This week Donna sits down with Anique Russell, mother of 2, wife and entrepreneur on how she navigated building a village from scratch.

Instagram:

@NiquesNuggets

@TooGoodEats

@DonnaJaneen

@RealRelatablePodcast

www.DonnaJaneen.com/podcasts

#postpartum #motherhood #pregnancy #bodypositivity #mentalhealth

Have you ever dated outside of your culture? Did it open your world view? What were the challenges you faced? Join us with return guest Lauren Oliver to dive Into her perspective of never having dated outside of her race and Donna who has dated at least one representative of every country in the United Nations. 

Instagram: 

@LaurenxMi 

@DonnaJaneen 

@RealRelatablePodcasts 

www.DonnaJaneen.com/podcasts

#dating #love #interracial #couples

Have you or a loved one worried about passing an autoimmune disease or a chronic illness to your born/unborn child? This week Donna sits down with Phill Okwo, a lifelong Sickle Cell Warrior, dedicated Sickle Cell advocate and father of 2. Phill discusses the destigmatization of sickle cell and how he has been able to live a full, long life despite his illness. 

Resources: 

Sickle Cell Reproductive Health Education Directive (SC RED)

Instagram: 

@SCDWarrior1 

@DonnaJaneen 

@RealRelatablePodcasts 

www.DonnaJaneen.com/podcasts

#sicklecell #fatherhood #parenthood #sicklecellawareness