Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn

Book a free coaching consultation with Angie The Besties talk about joy A LOT! And want to make sure that people are getting its true meaning, and what it’s not, to stay clear of all the toxic positivity out there. Toxic positivity occurs when people don't allow themselves or others to experience hard emotions, quickly trying to move them to a "positive" place. Joy requires going th...

What makes friendships last?  The Besties have not only been blessed with their long-standing relationship, but have many others that are intact since elementary school. They change, yes, but there are some key components that make them last.  This week’s episode explores the boundaries, curations, and grace that are behind their friendship successes.  Some topics covered: • Zero tolerance for gos...

Besties Angella and Leslie bring you another episode in The Year of the Menopause series with the return of Dr Toni Otway, a Board Certified OB/GYN physician. She discusses that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet the connection between menopause and heart health remains dangerously under-discussed. Dr. Otway explains how dropping estrogen levels during menopause dra...

The Besties share their most surprising discoveries from their recent first trip to Panama. They reveal unexpected aspects of Panamanian life that weren't evident from their research before visiting, some are: • Panama's modern, clean subway  • Spanish language proficiency is more essential than expected, especially outside tourist areas • The extent of Panama City's skyline  • The...

Inspired by Rachel Martin's "Wild Card" podcast, this week, The Besties tackle questions they've never publicly addressed before, creating moments of both profound insight and lighthearted humor. The episode unfolds with vulnerability as they explore, out loud, deeply personal remembrances like when they first realized their parents weren't infallible beings, when they fir...

Two longtime friends, Lenora Norman & Tiffany Knotts share how they built an unexpected sisterhood through motorcycle riding and the creation of Smok’n Jewl’z Motorcycle Club. Their journey reveals how finding your passion can lead to deep connections, freedom, and joy at any age. The Besties encourage you to find your thing, find your people, and live your joy. Life's too short not to em...

Angella and Leslie explore how negative influences from their past unexpectedly became catalysts for success and personal growth. They reflect on how criticism and doubt from authority figures and partners shaped their determination rather than diminishing their spirit. References mentioned in this episode: Someone’s Thunder Podcast Angela Pierce and Stephanie Klapper https://podcasts.apple.com/us...

The Besties are still on their vacay so here’s another blast from the past.  Originally aired in October 2023, our guest Dr. Maria Sophocles, a Board-Certified OB-GYN and Medical Director of Women's Healthcare of Princeton, unveils shocking truths about female sexual health and pleasure that have been systematically ignored by medical education for centuries.  Angie was aghast by the fact tha...

Did you know that the Besties have another Bestie?  It’s actor, comedian, author and coach Kim Coles. As the dear friend she is, she came onto Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn podcast when we were wee podcasters. So in celebration of her new  podcast with her Living Single costar Erika Alexander, we thought we would replay our conversation with her when she closed out our first season. Then enjo...

Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kimani Norrington-Sands returns with co-host Social Worker Marissa Price to discuss their annual Job Liberation Summit, a virtual event designed to help Black women escape toxic workplaces on their own timeline with support and resources. • Toxic jobs trigger our brain's fear response, preventing access to the areas of the brain needed for planning • Chronic...

Leslie and Angella take you through their emotional journey at the Brooklyn Technical High School 45th reunion. This isn't just any school gathering – it's a celebration of one of America's premier STEM education institutions and the diverse bonds that have endured nearly half a century. The most remarkable aspect? Watching a room filled with people from different racial, cultural,...

We're together in person for this impromptu episode during our busy "Gala Week." Despite exhaustion, we're sharing updates as we prepare for our upcoming 45th Reunion from Brooklyn Technical High School. Brooklyn Tech is the largest high school in the United States Brooklyn Tech has produced six Nobel laureates and numerous distinguished graduates Our high school friendships ha...

Angella and Leslie explore how our relationship with money evolves over time and how true wealth extends beyond financial success to include joy, freedom, and meaningful connections. • Money as just one form of currency in our lives • How entrepreneurship offers freedom beyond financial gain • The shift in perspective that comes when basic financial needs are met • Cultural expectations around mon...

Leslie shares a recent experience of being the only Black person at two separate events—a Staten Island sports bar and a New Jersey fundraiser with over 300 attendees. This prompts a revealing conversation about racial segregation in America and the imbalance of cultural immersion between white and Black Americans. • Black Americans constantly "swim in white waters" while white Ameri...

In this episode, The Besties share their strategies for managing political anxiety through intentional actions rather than constant news consumption, discussing how they've transformed feelings of helplessness into empowerment through deliberate consumer choices and lifestyle decisions.  They are: • Stepping back from news consumption and financial monitoring to protect mental health • Boycot...

The Year of Menopause returns with Dr. Toni Otway as she joins the Besties to explore different cultural ideologies of menopause.  • Western societies often frame menopause as women being "put out to pasture" after serving their reproductive purpose • Many cultures including the Japanese, African, and Mayan societies celebrate menopause as a time for gaining wisdom and elevated social st...

Being a physician is Leslie’s calling; a gifting. In this episode, she recounts a whirlwind weekend trip where she visited a recovering friend, and was reminded of a time years ago when she saved a friend’s life through medical intervention and advocacy. Angella and Leslie emphasize the importance of knowing your gifts and using them to help others. The conversation highlights the critical need fo...

Leslie and Angella dismantle the myth that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" by sharing powerful personal revelations about self-imposed limitations they've overcome in their decades-long friendship. • Leslie shares how she loved convertible cars for years but never thought she could own one until a lightbulb moment changed everything • The hosts discuss how we restrict o...

Besties Leslie and Angella share exciting news about their upcoming live event in Raleigh, North Carolina, where they'll host a community conversation after a performance of "The Old Settler," a play originally performed by Felicia Rashad and Debbie Allen. • Angella is the wig designer for the production directed by actor and author Moses T Alexander Greene. • The play explores them...

The episode discusses the complexities and beauty of being "a lot" in our lives and relationships. Angella and Leslie share personal experiences and insights into how this trait can be perceived both positively and negatively. • Introduction to the theme of being “a lot” • Exploration of personal definitions and meanings of being “a lot” • Sharing experiences with friends and family rega...

Love and compassion guide the conversation as Besties Leslie and Angella explore mental well-being with Dr. Rebecca Eldridge. Dr. Eldridge emphasizes that joy is not just a luxury but a critical component of well-being, especially in a time when many feel the emotional weight of societal issues. This week’s discussion focuses on how to maintain emotional health amid political and social chaos, whi...

From the intriguing show "Pop The Balloon and Find Love" to the traditional practices of arranged marriages, Besties Angella and Leslie discuss romantic relationships. They interject their own stories, and skepticisms, and challenge the notion that longevity equals happiness while examining the impact of true love versus societal obligations.  The conversation takes a deep dive into the...

This episode of Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn features two guests who offer insights into the often-misunderstood topic of menopause.  Besties Angella and Leslie introduce Dr. Toni Otway and Dr. Damali Campbell, two physicians who recognized the need to dispel myths and challenge societal misperceptions around menopause.   They conceived The Year of the Menopause- a series of lectures and web...

Could a 15 minute sermon provide a balm for our politically divided times? Besties Angella and Leslie believe it just might.  The Besties explore Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's courageous message delivered during this year’s presidential inaugural prayer service. Her sermon was a rallying call for unity and her deep reflections on the teachings of Jesus Christ struck a powerful chord...

In this week’s episode, The Besties discovered that a new, yet unused,  yellow Schwinn bike harbored a lesson about life's unexpected attachments and the difficulty of letting things go.  It was Leslie’s turn to attempt the difficult task of decluttering and emptying her storage unit so she solicited Ange’s help. Afterall, Angie had  just cleared out her unit so who would be better to show Le...