Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn

What happens when you blend the voices of wisdom, resilience, and poetic brilliance? You get an unforgettable episode of "Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn" featuring Jaki Shelton Green, the ninth Poet Laureate of North Carolina. In this powerful conversation, Ms Shelton Green, the first African-American and third woman to hold this prestigious title, shares her journey, inspirations, a...

What if redefining your life could be as simple as relocating to a new country?  Besties Leslie and Angella provide an update on the motivations and experiences that have led them  to consider moving abroad. Leslie recalls her eye-opening trip to Costa Rica, offering insights into the expat lifestyle and the profound differences between being a tourist and a resident. They consider critical aspect...

Note: This episode was planned, recorded and scheduled to air prior to the alleged assassination attempt on candidate and former President Trump on July 13, 2024. Angella and Leslie challenge conventional beliefs about the intersection of faith and politics, comparing them to what they see as a troubling trend.  Inspired by a thought-provoking YouTube video from the Midas Touch channel, "New...

What if the history of your neighborhood was being erased right before your eyes? Join Besties Angella and Leslie for an enlightening conversation with the remarkable Carmen Wimberley Cauthen, an esteemed author, historian, and activist who takes us on a journey through her personal experiences of segregation and desegregation in Raleigh, NC. While Carmen sheds  light on the persistent impacts of...

In this episode, Angella and Leslie introduce you to former postpartum doula, Gayle L. Walker, the powerhouse behind the company Life Doula, LLC . Life Doula is Gayle’s brainchild that emerged after the convergence of several formidable life experiences: retiring as a nurse for the US Navy, supporting a close friend and her family after they  welcomed their first child and caring for caregivers fa...

In recognition of Pride Month, Angie candidly shares how she arrived at challenging her default gender-based dating norms.  The practical question of which box to choose on a dating app unlatched the gate of the assumption that romantic love would always and only be with a man. In typical Besties fashion, a provocative conversation unfolds delving in the intersection of their Christian faith, soci...

Do people always put forth their best effort? This episode of Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn begins with Angella sharing a personal story about selling her son's car and the complications that arose when the buyer delayed payment. It sparked a compelling debate between her and Leslie about whether people genuinely do their best or if skepticism is warranted. With candor and humor, they na...

Leslie and Angella reunite after what seemed like ages. Leslie has been traveling outside of the country for the past several weeks while Angella is on the west coast in Oregon supporting the relocation of her youngest son.  It seems like this young man is well on his way to adulting- lucrative new job in his chosen field, great first apartment overlooking the Columbia River and his eyes set on a...

Ever wonder what it takes to plan a high school reunion that spans 45 years? The Besties do! They’ve been part of the 1980 Class Reps for several decades. In this episode, they share the laughter, challenges, and heartfelt moments of organizing Brooklyn Technical High School's Class of 80’s reunions. You'll get an insider's look at the dedication and camaraderie of our reunion commi...

With so much to be grateful and excited about, the Besties’ latest chat opens up with a celebration of Angie’s youngest's HBCU university graduation with high honors, a testament to the power of hard work, prayer, and an amazing village.  But that's just the start. The Besties reminisce about their cherished family traditions, now taking new shapes as their children carve out their own p...

Adrienne Keane is a colleague turned dear friend to Angella, and a long-time fan of this podcast.  She recently completed her 13th marathon and is a member of the elite World Marathon Majors having completed the six greatest marathons: Boston, NY, Chicago, Berlin, London, and Tokyo. Her 13th marathon was this past April but it is the first in which she completed as a para athlete. In this episode,...

Have you ever felt like the very job that's supposed to empower you is the one chipping away at your soul?  Psychologist Dr. Kimani Norrington-Sands joins The Besties to shed light on the harsh realities Black women often encounter in toxic work environments. Her journey from a stifling workplace to a thriving private practice is a testament to the resilience and fortitude it takes to reclaim...

In the last episode of Season 7, the Besties and guest Carla Forte, Licensed Clinical Social Worker & IT Manager, are getting real about the intersections of identity, career, and the audacity to be our authentic selves.  Carla's choice to rock her natural gray hair at the office after over 2 yrs of wigs & weaves, wasn't just about style—it was a bold declaration of self. Her sto...

When Leslie listened to a podcast that discussed the role of a death doula she was intrigued.  She was accustomed to the ins and outs of establishing an estate plan, but the work of a death doula was completely foreign. Is the concept new to you? The Besties tuned in to a recent episode of Dr Joy Harden Bradford’s Therapy for Black Girls podcast and they learned about Alua Arthur and the company s...

Ever wondered how you'll be spending your days when you're 90? Leslie was fascinated by The 90+ Study conducted at UC Irvine so in this episode the Besties went in.  In 2003, investigators began to look at “the oldest-old” in one of the largest studies of this group of people ever conducted, to determine the factors contributing to longevity. One of the fascinating findings included a pa...

When a friend confessed to not having a bucket list, it got us thinking – are we all wired to yearn for more to accomplish in our lives, or is there a hidden bliss in simply savoring the now and your already completed achievements?  Leslie confessed that her bucket list sits prominently on her wall with the items waiting to be ticked off. Listen in on an insightful conversation with the Besties; t...

Would you be able to describe your lifestyle as agile?  In other words, as your life stands right now, could you relocate within a short period of time in order to embrace a dream opportunity?  Most of us can not.  In this episode of Black Boomer Besties for Brooklyn, Leslie and Angella describe the recent changes in Angella’s life and discuss her process of simplifying things- letting go of “stuf...

This episode was triggered by a post on social media entitled: For those who are 60 yrs and above, please read this . How could The Besties resist? Ever wondered when's the perfect time to tap into those savings you've been squirreling away for the so-called 'golden years'?  But wait! The Besties aren’t even in agreement that the early 60s are yet golden. Nonetheless, this epis...

This episode is an intimate journal entry for The Besties where they discuss what happens when friendships become fractured. Leslie and Angella share an honest reflection on the complexities that come with nurturing friendships, understanding the pivotal role of communication in them, and the strength needed to weather misunderstandings. Even when there is clarity of one’s intentions, it may be ti...

After over 30 years of suburban living, Ange followed through on her desire to go back to urban living. Her Brooklyn-soul had been yearning for the energy of people moving about or at the bus stop, hearing familiar music coming from cars, walking to coffee and restaurants.  Ange is admittedly nostalgic but also a realist. The mosaic of city life is not without its complexities, as the social intri...

When the weight of the world felt too heavy, a beacon of hope and transformation emerged in our heartfelt conversation with Jennifer Campbell, CEO and founder of SoulStar.  Jennifer Campbell is a leader of leaders. Through her Systemic Leadership Summit, global leaders meet to create lasting shifts in how leadership is perceived and experienced, emphasizing holistic inclusivity, sustainability, an...

Although Black History month ended last week, we are keenly aware that Black History is every month and for everybody.  After all, Black history is American history.  We bring you this week the lesser told stories of two African American pioneers: Pauli Murray and Bayard Rustin. They are two pivotal yet often unheralded champions of the Civil Rights Movement, whose legacies intertwine with the fab...

Are you in your selfish season? Do you long to be? And do you have the courage to tell others exactly what it is that you need?    In this, part 2 of the popular episode with Stephanie Perry, Besties Angella and Leslie continue their conversation exploring the societal norms around our work lives, burnout and the timing around retirement.  Stephanie offers her unique perspective on striving for a...

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've likely seen and heard about the public hearings of GA District Attorney Fani Willis. DA Willis is prosecuting the alleged Georgia election fraud trial of former President Trump and has found herself in her own legal entanglement. Willis is being accused of hiring a former romantic partner to gain financially from the prosecution.  Regardless...

“Waiting until retirement age to start living is a scam!” Well, that is guest  Stephanie Perry’s stance on why she has made it her goal to get Black women to “take career breaks, bop around the world, or move abroad all while embracing ease” The Besties have mentioned her several times as a model of free-living, unapologetically choosing ease, and a window into the world of what she refers to as t...