Grammy-winning artist, author, and professor Jonathan McReynolds joins Nina Westbrook for a deeply honest conversation about faith, ambition, creativity, depression, and the pressure to keep climbing even when life at the top feels lonely. Jonathan reflects on his childhood in church, the moment he realized music was less about talent and more about having something meaningful to say, and why his book Before You Climb Any Higher is a cautionary message for high achievers.

He also opens up about the difference between naming your struggles and identifying with them, the importance of coming back down to "the valley," and why the next generation is demanding more authenticity from artists, teachers, and faith leaders. Plus, Jonathan shares the creative freedom behind his album Closer and plays Nina's Do Tell Card Game.

🔗 WATCH NEXT:

👉 Modern Dating Is the Wild West — Here's How to Survive It with Monique Kelley - https://youtu.be/hvnS_kfec7k

👉 Jada Paul on Identity, Motherhood, Ambition, and Building Something of Your Own - https://youtu.be/TCwqIveFG74

👉 The Cost of Being Fully Known | George M. Johnson on Identity, Healing & Banned Books - https://youtu.be/NvVRNYc4Iik

📩 Connect with us: Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @ninawestbrook

Download Nebbi: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nebbi-app/id6745851765

What happens when rest becomes a radical act?

In this episode of the Do Tell Relationship Podcast, Nina Westbrook sits down with author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of the Loveland Foundation, Rachel Cargle.

Rachel shares the deeply personal story behind the creation of the Loveland Foundation, how a birthday fundraiser evolved into a movement that has provided more than 200,000 hours of therapy for Black women and girls, and why access to culturally competent mental health care matters.

Together, Nina and Rachel explore burnout, wellness culture, leadership, grief, community care, motherhood, purpose, representation in therapy, and what it means to build a life that prioritizes healing instead of constant productivity. This conversation is a powerful reminder that rest is not a reward. It's a necessity.

📌 In this episode: • The origin story of the Loveland Foundation

• Why representation in therapy matters

• The problem with commodified wellness

• Leadership lessons from building a movement • Rest as a daily practice

• Grief, healing, and returning home

• Building Elizabeth's Bookshop

• Why Rachel proudly claims the title of visionary

🔗 WATCH NEXT: 👉 Modern Dating Is the Wild West — Here's How to Survive It with Monique Kelley - https://youtu.be/hvnS_kfec7k

👉 Jada Paul on Identity, Motherhood, Ambition, and Building Something of Your Own - https://youtu.be/TCwqIveFG74

👉 The Cost of Being Fully Known | George M. Johnson on Identity, Healing & Banned Books - https://youtu.be/NvVRNYc4Iik

📩 Connect with us: Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @ninawestbrook

Download Nebbi: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nebbi-app/id6745851765

#RachelCargle #MentalHealth #BlackWomen #Therapy #SelfCare #Wellness #Leadership

#DoTellPodcast #NinaWestbrook #LovelandFoundation

Author Jason Reynolds joins Nina Westbrook on the Do Tell Relationship Podcast for a powerful conversation about storytelling, Black boyhood, masculinity, literacy, AI, creativity, emotional expression, and the human experience behind great art.

Jason shares why young people do not hate books, they hate boredom, and how representation in literature can shape identity, imagination, emotional vocabulary, and freedom. Nina and Jason also explore what happens when children do not see themselves reflected in the stories they are given, how masculinity can limit emotional expression, and why the process of becoming matters just as much as the outcome.

This episode is for parents, educators, creatives, readers, athletes, and anyone thinking deeply about how we raise emotionally intelligent, imaginative, resilient young people.

🔗 WATCH NEXT: 👉 Modern Dating Is the Wild West — Here's How to Survive It with Monique Kelley - https://youtu.be/hvnS_kfec7k

👉 Jada Paul on Identity, Motherhood, Ambition, and Building Something of Your Own - https://youtu.be/TCwqIveFG74

👉 The Cost of Being Fully Known | George M. Johnson on Identity, Healing & Banned Books - https://youtu.be/NvVRNYc4Iik

📩 Connect with us: Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @ninawestbrook

Download Nebbi: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nebbi-app/id6745851765

What if love isn't something you fall into—but something you practice?

In this episode, Nina Westbrook sits down with Codie Elaine Oliver, founder of Black Love, to unpack the real work behind relationships. From dating struggles and societal narratives to building a marriage, business, and family simultaneously, Codie shares what it truly takes to love well.

They explore vulnerability, communication, and the evolving nature of relationships—especially in seasons of growth, stress, and transition.

This conversation is honest, layered, and necessary.

This is not a surface-level conversation. It's about the truth of love:

• The hard seasons
• The uncomfortable questions
• The growth required to sustain it

If you've ever questioned relationships, marriage, or what "love" actually requires… this one is for you.

• Why love is a skill, not just a feeling
• The truth about modern relationships and unrealistic expectations
• How to navigate marriage, business, and family simultaneously
• Why vulnerability and communication are essential
• What "survival mode" looks like in relationships—and how to move through it

📩 Connect with us:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @ninawestbrook & @dotellpodcast

Download Nebbi: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nebbi-app/id6745851765

What does it actually cost to be fully known?

In this powerful episode of the Do Tell Relationship Podcast, host Nina Westbrook sits down with bestselling author, activist, and Emmy-nominated producer George M. Johnson to explore identity, vulnerability, and the healing power of storytelling.

From being labeled "different" as a child to becoming one of the most banned authors in America, George shares what it means to live authentically in a world that often tries to silence certain voices.

This conversation dives deep into:

• The parts of ourselves we learn to hide early in life
• How storytelling becomes a tool for healing (for you and others)
• The emotional toll of censorship and banned books
• Why representation creates safety and empathy
• What it takes to move from shame → voice → freedom

If you've ever felt like you had to shrink parts of who you are… this episode is for you.

📩 Connect with us: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @ninawestbrook

This live-recorded episode flips the script—Nina Westbrook steps out of the host seat and into the conversation.

Joined by Megan Bartlett, this episode explores how sports impact mental health, identity, and emotional development. From youth athletes to professionals, the conversation reveals how movement, community, and discipline shape our well-being—and where the system is falling short.

If you've ever struggled with pressure, identity, or performance… this conversation connects the dots.

What does it really take to build a career in music today?

In this episode, Nina sits down with rising R&B artist Jordyn Simone to unpack the reality behind chasing big dreams—self-trust, authenticity, and navigating an industry that's constantly changing.

From The Voice to building her own path, Jordyn shares how she's learning to balance artistry, identity, and ambition without losing herself in the process.

This is a conversation about growth, resilience, and becoming who you're meant to be—before the world catches up.

In this episode of the Do Tell Relationship Podcast, Nina sits down with her longtime friend Jada Paul for an honest and thoughtful conversation about identity, motherhood, ambition, and what it really feels like to build something of your own.

On paper, Jada's life is filled with impact—entrepreneurship, philanthropy, board leadership, and raising a family alongside a high-profile NBA career. But behind the achievements is a much more nuanced story about invisible labor, self-doubt, sacrifice, and the ongoing process of building a life that feels authentic.

Jada shares how she spent years creating stability for her family, what it felt like when her kids got older and she realized it was time to pursue something for herself, and how she's navigating the challenge of building a business while staying true to who she is. The conversation also dives into parenting teenagers, teaching sacrifice, philanthropy, and why success doesn't always quiet the voice inside asking if you're doing enough.

This episode is a thoughtful reminder that even the most accomplished women are still figuring it out in real time.

In this episode we discuss:

• The invisible work of motherhood • Supporting a partner while building your own identity • Raising kids to understand sacrifice and responsibility • Philanthropy and creating impact beyond yourself • The pressure to constantly do more • Building a business without losing your authenticity

If you've ever felt like you were supposed to have love figured out by now… this episode is for you.

In this powerful, honest, and often hilarious conversation, Nina sits down with national dating expert, TV host, and author Monique Kelley (creator of Confessions of a Serial Dater in LA) to unpack what nobody tells you about modern dating.

From dating apps and "chat fishing" to inconsistency, financial expectations, situationships, and rebuilding after divorce — this episode dives into the emotional realities of love in 2026.

Monique brings real insight from her work hosting Married at First Sight: Cast Tell All, her Cocktails & Confessions coaching events, and her novel Reality and Chaos (currently being optioned for television).This isn't surface-level dating advice.

This is about healing, discernment, green flags, and having the courage to reflect on your own patterns.

If you're dating in the wild, rebuilding after heartbreak, or questioning what you truly want in a partner — press play.🔥

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why inconsistency is the real red flag

How social media is sabotaging modern dating

Why "stop looking and love will find you" is terrible advice

The importance of self-reflection in your dating patterns

How to identify green flags early

The difference between chemistry and compatibility

How friendships carry you through heartbreak

Why your dating journey is customized — not copy/paste💌

WORK WITH MONIQUE

Follow Monique: @CocktailsAndConfessions

Book: Reality and Chaos (Amazon & Barnes & Noble)

Coaching: DM her on Instagram for Cocktails & Confessions coaching

In this powerful and deeply grounding episode of the Do Tell Relationship Podcast, host Nina Westbrook sits down with Dr. Jenelle Kim—a 9th-generation doctor of Traditional Oriental Medicine, master herbalist, and founder of JBK Wellness Labs—for a wide-ranging conversation on aging, emotional health, and true longevity.

Together, Nina and Dr. Kim unpack what's really happening in our bodies as we age, why wellness trends like GLP-1 medications and quick fixes often miss the bigger picture, and how Eastern medicine views vitality as a whole-life practice, not a single product or protocol.

This episode dives into:

• Menopause, perimenopause, and hormonal balance

• Emotional clarity and how stress shows up physically

• The difference between connection and unhealthy attachment

• Why breathwork and movement are powerful medicine

• How small, daily habits create long-term vitality

• Eastern vs. Western perspectives on aging and wellness

Dr. Kim also shares her deeply personal philosophy around detachment, energy, and emotional freedom, along with a simple breathwork practice you can use anywhere—before a meeting, during family gatherings, or in moments of stress.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by wellness advice, unsure where to start, or curious how ancient wisdom can support modern life, this conversation will leave you feeling grounded, informed, and empowered.

🎧 Listen, reflect, and walk through it.