Da Hood Talks Podcast

In this Da Hood Talks Podcast community conversation, we explore how transportation access impacts health and why it’s often overlooked as a critical barrier to care. Before diving into transportation, we intentionally created space for the community to process and share their feelings about the E3 May tornado that impacted St. Louis on May 16, 2025. The conversation expanded to include mental hea...

Da Hood Talks Podcast takes the mic beyond the recording room with our community conversations at Da Link Up by Da Hood Connect , centering a timely and necessary dialogue on The Link Between Housing & Health . This episode explores how housing stability directly impacts physical, mental, and community health—highlighting the lived realities, systemic challenges, and collaborative solutions ne...

In this episode of Da Hood Talks Podcast, Host Vanna hosts an onsite conversation at Rejuvenating Comprehensive Services in Ferguson centered on grief, loss, and trauma. Host Vanna is joined by Keely Finney, owner of Rejuvenating Comprehensive Services, Cal D. Brown of The Michael Brown Sr. Chosen for Change Organization and Vikki Collier, a professional social worker and recent ED of Infant Loss...

In this episode of our Da Hood Needs segment, we host a conversation on chronic illness and the health disparities that continue to impact our communities. Host Vanna is joined by Christie, owner of Gutted Fitness, and Debora Grandison for a real and honest discussion rooted in lived experience. Together, they share personal stories, speak truth about systemic gaps in care, and highlight resources...

Tap in with Host Vanna as she sits down with three St. Louis moms from The Moms Line for an honest and heartfelt Moms Talk on Da Hood Talks Podcast. This episode creates space for real conversations about motherhood — the joys, the challenges, and everything in between. Together, they bring light to the importance of truth-telling in motherhood, community, and support while navigating the journey...

Tap in with Host Vanna as she goes onsite at Mid-America Transplant for a powerful and honest conversation with Dr. Knight and Heart Transplant Survivor Tiara. Together, they explore the realities of organ donation, tackle the discomfort and mistrust surrounding it in Black communities, and shed light on why these conversations matter. Tiara’s personal journey will move you, while Dr. Knight share...

Join @vanna_host_da_hood_talks and co-host @theeshantelove as they talk with Dr. Leslie Davis to dive deep into "The Cliché of Self-Love." What does self-love really look like? Is it just bubble baths and affirmations, or something deeper? We’re unpacking it all and keeping it REAL in this conversation!

Join Host Vanna for another Da Hood Needs Segment as she talks with two incredible voices in the STL media space Ashley Winters Asst. Editor/Community Reporter for local paper and The Front Page_byashleywinters & Asia Mobley Publicist + Talent Manager | CEO of Rare Radar . They’re diving deep into representation in media, the narratives that shape our stories, the importance of being informed...

We’re kicking off Season 5 of Da Hood Talks Podcast with our Da Hood Needs segment, highlighting Black Excellence! In this episode, Host Vanna sits down with incredible individuals who embody excellence in our community. We’ll dive into why representation matters, hear their powerful journeys, and celebrate the impact of Black success. Tune in for real conversations, inspiration, and a celebration...

Missed the live event? Here's your chance to catch the playback of "Da Health Check-In," where Host Vanna talks with St. Louis FQHC leaders about their vital role as the community's healthcare safety net. This powerful discussion, supported by the St. Louis Integrated Health Network, dives into health equity, essential services, and community engagement. Don’t miss this impactful conversation!

If you haven’t attended our Live & In-person events this season, no worries we got you covered! Checkout this recording of the powerful panel discussion, "The School System is Still Failing Black Children." As the new school year has began in STL, this conversation highlights how parents, educators, and the community can make a difference in education. Tap in, please share and let us...

Join Host Vanna & Co-Host Shante Love as they talk with LCSW Keely Finney and Certified Christian Life Coach Ms. Sandra in honor of Minority Mental Health Month. They dive into a conversation about the importance of taking care of your mental health as a Black individual and much more.

Join host Vanna and co-host Shante Love as they talk with two dads about their experiences as Black men, their mental health, and their everyday strive to be the best fathers they can be. Tune in for an insightful conversation that sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of fatherhood and manhood in our community.

Join host Vanna and co-host Shante Love as they embark on a deeply insightful conversation with Mother Candice and her daughter Calis. Together, they explore the multifaceted journey of motherhood, delving into themes of healing, mother-daughter relationships, and the evolving cultural norms surrounding mothering across generations

Join Host Vanna and Co-host Shante Love as they have a conversation with Ronnie Amiin around black men and mental health. Also tune in to learn about Mr. Amiin and the work he does in the community with Black Men Build and Freedom Community Center.

New changes and growth is happening at Da Hood Talks Podcast! Join Host Vanna & come meet the new segment Co-Host, Shante Love as they both talk mental health and discuss their personal healing journeys. Come learn about the new co-host and see what vibe you can expect from this season and the expansion of this segment.

In this episode of our Storytelling Segment we hear from a self published author who takes us through her childhood journey in her words as an "army brat" that landed in Saint Louis in 2007. We hear of her childhood trauma experiences and her sudden health decline, that eventually had her fighting for her life. This story provides insight on how systems can directly be harmful to specifi...

In this episode of our Storytelling Segment we hear from a man who was born and raised in Saint Louis, and served in the Military. We hear of his experience growing up in a home of domestic violence, trying to suppress his desire for men as a young adult to the point of marrying a woman, to now what it's like being a Gay Black Man in this day and time. We learn why he feels being just a black...

Join Host Vanna and Community Members for Season 3 Final LIVE Show episode of Da Hood Talks Podcast, to talk through health and wealth in the black community. We discussed how our communities have adapted unhealthy behaviors as culture norms for many reasons, such as disparities and racism and how they are harming us. We will also talk about ways to shift the unhealthy cultural mindset and as a co...

Join host Vanna as she talks with two women about their thoughts on society's outlook and treatment of plus size women, especially black women. They will also be discussing their own personal experiences as a plus size woman, the culture around body shaming and the movement of body positivity that has flooded social media. So, tell a homegirl and make sure that yo cousin TAP in too, as this co...

Join Host Vanna as she talks with the women behind The Clinical Cookout Podcast (Auntie Kesh, Auntie Amber, Auntie Sug, & Auntie Ashley). This conversation dive into everything from mental health in the church, defining the hood and ghetto, mental health evolution and so much more.

Join host Vanna as she talks with representatives from a local STL nonprofit focused on Black Maternal Health (Generate Health STL) & two large local STL Hospitals (SSM Health & BJC Healthcare). They will join her in a conversation about utilizing a more collaborative effort to impact and improve Black Maternal Health in STL. We also learned more about what is Black Maternal Health week an...

They say it's STL vs. ERRBODY!!! Well join host Vanna and another community guest panel to talk about the state of St. Louis against St. Louis. We will talk about the lack of collaboration and collectiveness on all levels plaguing our city. We will talk through ways we can heal this community curse and actions we can take to move the city together in UNITY!!!

Join Host Vanna as she talks with a panel that brings lived experience and a lens of expertise to this conversation. We will discuss the distrust that some of the black community has around this topic, learn the process and uplift what resources are available for families to utilize when navigating an IEP.

Join host Vanna as she talks with a panel of community members around the dynamics of the relationship between Black men & Black women today. Beyond just the romance, they will discuss how they think we can rebuild the strength of the black community by recreating the bond between Black men & Black woman and so much more.