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

We always joke about how any time you see a black person in a horror film, they don’t make it to the end of the movie. Is that rooted in racism? How have horror films been influenced and shaped history? This month on Now We Know, we’re dividing into Horror Noire A History of Black Horror, a documentary from 2019 that Jonathan found. We celebrate the evolution of black representation as it evolves over time to be more representative, and also acknowledge that Donna's not here for the scaries but can appreciate the work of art and live vicariously through Jonathan's obsession with the films. Are you a fan of horror movies? What’s your favorite?

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

@RealRelatablePodcasts

www.DonnaJaneen.com/podcasts

Documentary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc6Rzzd8l4s

#halloween #spookyseason #horrorfilms #blackhistory

Don't mess with Texas? Don't mess with women's bodies. The Texas abortion ban has created a flood of opinions and everyone in everyone else's business when they have no right even to be there. This month, Donna and Jonathan dive into this highly debated topic as adoption can be a beautiful avenue but that's not the case for everyone - nor should it be the only option. Forcing people into these situations isn't the answer. 

Resources:

https://www.npr.org/2021/09/01/1033202132/texas-abortion-ban-what-happens-next 

https://www.aclu.org/news/racial-justice/the-racist-history-of-abortion-and-midwifery-bans/ 

Instagram: 

@DonnaJaneen 

@RealRelatablePodcasts

www.DonnaJaneen.com/podcasts

#abortion #abortionrights #abortionban #texas #healthcare

It's August and officially Back to School season and what better time to talk about CRT. But, what is CRT? Does it really need to be banned in k-12 schools? This month on Now We Know, Donna and Jonathan dive into Critical Race Theory and what nuance would’ve meant for them in school growing up. 

Instagram:  

@RealRelatablePodcasts

@DonnaJaneen 

www.DonnaJaneen.com/podcasts

#criticalracetheory #education #crt

This month on Now We Know, Donna & Jonathan were all in their feelings! Together they discuss the documentary In Our Mothers' Gardens that beautifully details generation to generation the good, the bad and the ugly life experiences of black women from the diaspora living in America. The hardships overcome to shape these women and the figurative garden beds they nurtured to bring beautiful harvests for generations to come. What have you harvested from your mother’s gardens? 

In Our Mothers' Gardens https://www.netflix.com/title/81354661 

Instagram: 

@DonnaJaneen 

@RealRelatablePodcasts

www.DonnaJaneen.com/podcasts

#motherhood #grandmother #generation #blackhistory