Against My Better Judgment

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends personal evolution with a sprinkle of “none of us arrive fully formed.” In Becoming, Dannelle reflects on the power of embracing every chapter of your story, even the messy, uncertain, and unfinished ones. She explores the lessons she took from Michelle Obama’s journey of identity, purpose, and perseverance, and how this book challenged her to view...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends self‑discovery with a sprinkle of “becoming is both beautiful and messy.” In Lovely One, Tamara reflects on the tender work of reclaiming identity — the healing, the honesty, and the courage to see yourself clearly after seasons that tried to blur the view. She explores how this book shaped her understanding of family, community, transformation, an...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends spiritual grounding with a sprinkle of “what on earth am I here for?” curiosity. In The Purpose Driven Life, Dannelle reflects on the journey toward meaning — the questions that linger, the clarity that arrives slowly, and the intentional choices that reshape how we move through the world. She explores how this book guided her toward deeper alignme...

 This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends moral courage with a sprinkle of “the world is complicated, but integrity isn’t.” In To Kill a Mockingbird, Tamara reflects on the lessons tucked inside childhood observation — justice, heroism, and the uncomfortable truths we inherit before we even understand them. She explores how this book shaped her understanding of fairness, humanity, and the...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends body literacy with a sprinkle of “knowing yourself is its own kind of power.” In Taking Charge of Your Fertility, Dannelle reflects on the clarity that comes from understanding your body’s rhythms — the science, the self‑advocacy, and the liberation of making informed choices. She explores how this book reshaped her relationship with health, autono...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends spiritual curiosity with a sprinkle of “growth requires asking for more than you’re used to.” In The Prayer of Jabez, Tamara reflects on how a short, ancient prayer expanded her understanding of possibility — the courage to seek increase, the humility to receive it, and the discipline required when blessings come with responsibility. She explores h...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends literary reverence with a sprinkle of “this book saw me before I saw myself.” In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Dannelle reflects on the primary character’s journey toward voice, autonomy, and self‑definition — the longing, the love, and the lessons that shaped her understanding of womanhood. She explores how Zora Neale Hurston’s storytelling carved...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends introspection with a sprinkle of “silence is not emptiness.” In “Just Because I’m Quiet Doesn’t Mean I Have Nothing to Say,” Tamara explores the power of observation, the depth behind stillness, and the truth that some voices speak loudest when they choose their moments. She reflects on communication that’s intentional, thoughtful, and rooted in kn...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends wellness truth with a sprinkle of “sleep is not the same as restoration.” In “Just Because I’ve Slept Doesn’t Mean I’m Rested,” Dannelle unpacks the difference between shutting down and truly recharging — the emotional, mental, and spiritual fatigue that lingers even after a full night’s sleep. She reflects on what real rest requires and why it’s m...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends emotional honesty with a sprinkle of “my vulnerability is not community property.” In “Just Because I’m Going Through Something Doesn’t Mean I Want to Trauma Bond With You,” Dannelle explores the difference between support and oversharing, empathy and enmeshment. She reflects on healing that doesn’t require matching wounds, and the strength of choo...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends resilience with a sprinkle of “failure is data, not identity.” In “Just Because I Failed Doesn’t Mean I’m a Failure,” Tamara reflects on the lessons tucked inside missteps — the recalibrations, the redirections, and the quiet rebuilding that happens after things fall apart. She explores what it means to hold grace for yourself and redefine success...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends social warmth with a sprinkle of “don’t assign me to your inner circle.” In “Just Because I’m Friendly Doesn’t Mean I’m Your Friend,” Tamara unpacks the difference between kindness and closeness — the ease of being personable, the cost of being overly accessible, and the boundaries that protect genuine connection. She reflects on how friendliness c...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends bodily autonomy with a sprinkle of “admire from a distance, please.” In “Just Because It’s Cute Doesn’t Mean You Can Touch,” Dannelle reflects on boundaries — the ones we set, the ones people ignore, and the quiet courage it takes to protect your space without apologizing. She explores consent as everyday practice, not a special occasion, and the p...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends lived experience with a sprinkle of “please stop underestimating me.” In “Just Because I Don’t Have Children Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Know Child Rearing,” Tamara explores the wisdom gained from community, caregiving, observation, and the many ways adults show up for kids beyond parenthood. She reflects on expertise that isn’t tied to biology, the assum...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends time management truth with a sprinkle of “I prioritize what matters.” In “Just Because I’m Busy Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Have Time,” Dannelle unpacks the assumptions people make about full schedules, shifting capacities, and the difference between being unavailable and being intentional. She reflects on how she allocates energy, honors commitments, and...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends kindness with a sprinkle of “don’t get it twisted.” In “Just Because I’m Nice Doesn’t Mean I’m a People-Pleaser or Weak,” Tamara explores the difference between compassion and compliance, softness and surrender. She reflects on the strength behind gentleness, the boundaries behind generosity, and the power of choosing kindness without letting it be...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends personality nuance with a sprinkle of “I love people, but also please leave me alone.” In “Just Because I’m Extroverted Doesn’t Mean I’m Not an Introvert,” Dannelle unpacks the tension of being energized by connection yet deeply protective of solitude. She reflects on identity beyond labels, the myths of social ease, and the quiet truth that humans...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends emotional honesty with a sprinkle of "I'm fine ... but am I?" humor. In "Just Because I'm Laughing Doesn't Mean I'm Happy," Tamara explores the complicated art of masking - the smile that covers stress, the jokes that soften truth, and the moments when laughter becomes a shield. She reflects on what it means to be seen, supported, and understood be...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends leadership clarity with a sprinkle of “please don’t confuse boundaries with attitude.” In “Just Because I’m a Boss Doesn’t Mean I’m a B@#$!,” Dannelle unpacks the double standards, tone policing, and quiet calculations that come with being a woman in charge. She reflects on authority without apology, confidence without caricature, and the freedom t...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends self-awareness with a sprinkle of “I am not your superhero, actually” humor. In “Just Because I Can Do A Lot Does Not Mean I Can Do Everything,” Dannelle reflects on the seasons when competence became a trap and capability turned into an unspoken expectation. She unpacks the quiet burnout, and how asking for HELP is necessary. Expect honesty, gentl...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends introspection with a sprinkle of “please don’t put me in your box” humor. In “Just Because I’m Spiritual Does Not Mean I’m Religious,” Tamara explores the difference between personal connection and institutional expectation — the rituals that ground her, the questions that shaped her, and the freedom she’s found in defining faith on her own terms....

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends collaboration with a sprinkle of “we’re really doing this together” delight. In “How We Do Partnership,” Dannelle and Tamara welcome the podcast’s first special guest to explore what it takes to build, maintain, and honor a true partnership — whether romantic, professional, or the beautifully complicated in-between. They dig into communication, com...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends competitive spirit with a sprinkle of “I’m trying to be a good person but also… I like to win” energy. In “How We Do Sportsmanship,” Tamara breaks down the art of playing fair, losing gracefully, and celebrating without being insufferable. She shares the lessons learned from childhood games, and the unspoken rules that govern everything from board...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment mixes civic responsibility with a dash of “why is adulthood like this” reality. In “How We Do Citizenship,” Dannelle unpacks what it means to show up for your community — from the everyday choices that quietly shape the world around us to the big moments that demand courage, clarity, and a little bit of common sense. She reflects on belonging, accountabil...

This episode of Against My Better Judgment blends resilience with a sprinkle of “life really tried it” humor. In “How We Do Hardship,” Tamara walks through the seasons that stretched her, sharpened her, and reminded her she’s built sturdier than she realized. She shares the coping tools, and quiet inner shifts that helped her navigate the moments that felt heavier than expected — and the surprisin...