When Magic Happens

Black women have been pioneers and trailblazers in so many work

environments, enduring, surviving, and thriving despite adversity. But surviving the

workplace has been no crystal stair. We’ve fought against every “-ism” under the

sun, put in thrice the effort to stay on top, all while trying to do it with a

smile. This week, we dive into the stories of our first big girl jobs, the

challenges thereof, and share some helpful tips for any Black woman trying to thrive

and be treated with respect in the workplace. Donna Summer once said, “She works

hard for the money.” So what, y’all? You better treat her right! Happy Women’s

History Month.

Ring, ring, ring! It’s us, When Magic Happens. Do y’all remember rotary

phones, calling your voicemail, or what about the invention of caller ID? When cell

phones became a thing, what was in your pocket, and could the phone even fit? This

week, we talk about phones and the revolution they’ve brought to life as we know it,

the things we used to do on them back in the day (*66, or was it *69?) We’re giving

the 411 on all our cell phone memories, and we’re reviving the phrase “411.”

It’s Women’s History Month, and this month is all about us! As we

transition out of Black History Month and into Women’s History Month, it’s giving

“this is an us season.” As Black women, we experience a lot, joy and triumph, pain

and perseverance, and this week, we get into the ups and downs and how we can

champion ourselves and each other.

Happy anniversary to the whole When Magic Happens family! It’s our first

anniversary, and we are reflecting on the joy, the laughter and the magic that has

blossomed from this podcast over the last year and from our greater When Magic

Happens community. Raise a glass, y’all!

It’s the season of love, and we’ve got 525,600 reasons why we not only love

our friends, families, and partners, but ourselves. This week, from the bottom of

our hearts, we pour out how and why we love ourselves and we share our ultimate

me-dates.

Happy Black History Month, again! This week, we pass the mic to our friends

over at the Rundown Podcast. Erin Allen sits down with Arionne Nettles, who is a

lecturer and the Director of Audio Journalism Programming at Northwestern

University’s Medill School of Journalism. Together, they reflect on our living

legends, interrogate the term “Black excellence,” and they bring some nerdy flavor

to the topic of Black futures in Chicago.

Happy Black History Month! We observe this time by looking back on the

trailblazers, the peacemakers, and the folks that got in some “good trouble” as well

as the Black folks who are making history now and carrying on traditions. Black

history is expansive. It is relevant. Black history is now.

It’s Cheryle’s birthday, she’s 50-fine, and she’s ready to talk about aging

with us and the WMH family. What’s the big deal about getting older, and why are we

so obsessed with youth? Plus, we have two guest hosts in the building, a crowd

favorite, Erin Allen of WBEZ’s The Rundown, and our magical producer Briana Garrett.

Tell us something, where your boss at? Calling all divas to the stage! We

need to know what are the makings of a diva? Is it about the opulence and execution,

is it about the talent and/or the ‘tude? And is the “diva” dying, or has the word

taken on a whole new meaning?

It’s the Battle of the TV Shows, choose your fighter! What type of

TV-watcher are you? True crime? Documentary? Reality TV? The hosts have their own

picks and they’re convinced they can get you to join them in watching their favorite

series.’