Motherhood in Black & White

Original Air Date: January 31,2021 | Re-release: February 2,2025 As Black History Month kicks off, we’re revisiting an important conversation from 2021 about what this month means to us and how we celebrate it as mothers and lifelong learners.   In this episode, Kaanji and Tara reflect on the significance of Black History Month, how we approach it in our families, and the ways we can ensure it’s n...

In this episode, Kaanji and Tara discuss their experiences in this midlife period, reflect on adolescence, and discuss personal, professional and parenting challenges in their middlescence.  Listen as they share stories of their teenage years, ways their teenage sons differ from them at those ages, and what would most surprise their adolescent selves about their lives. 

In this new episode, our hosts jump into summer break plans and how it’s different with older kids.  Kaanji and Tara discuss the laziness of teenage summers, what they’re each doing for their own self care, and the best season of all - Gemini Season!  

There’s a phrase that’s crept up in parenting circles and social media sites during the past few months; it’s not a new term, but it’s having a resurgence.  This episode, Kaanji and Tara discuss kinkeeping and ways that women can ease the emotional labor burden.   Our hosts also take time to catch up on their lives, updates on their children, and Kaanji’s milestone birthday. 

Our hosts are back again this week and feeling nostalgic. Join Kaanji and Tara as they reflect on the past four seasons and each share five lessons learned from three years of podcasting. As usual, their comments range from honest and heartfelt to hilarious and off-the-wall. Tune in to find out the one lesson they both agree on. 

In another new episode, Kaanji and Tara discuss recent research around the two-parent privilege. Listen as our hosts debate whether a two-parent privilege exists and share their upbringing stories.  Join the discussion around why it’s important to be inclusive of all family structures and learn what our hosts think about definitions of success for children.

In their return from an extended hiatus, Kaanji and Tara are back to discuss the reasons for their podcasting break and their significant life and parenting updates. Listen as they reflect on how their predictions for 2023 have played out thus far.  Join the conversation and catch up with our hosts in this must-listen to episode.   www.embraceaction.org  *Embrace Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or...

In this final episode of 2022 (and Season 4!), our hosts review big moments from this calendar year.  Kaanji and Tara review highs and lows from the last 12 months, both personally and in pop culture.  The verdict is in: 2022 was a wild one!  One resolution they both agree on - more concerts in 2023!   Connect with us: Clubhouse: @Kaanji and @Taraallyce Become a Podcast Patron: www.patreon.com/bla...

Are you ready for a home remodel or refresh in 2023? This week, Kaanji and Tara chat with designer Jo Gifford about Kaanji's recent home renovation. Jo shares tips on how to update your living spaces on a budget and trends for 2023.  Connect with our guest, designer Jo Gifford of JO GIFFORD DESIGNS: Instagram: @jogifforddesigns Pinterest: @jogifforddesigns LinkedIn: JO GIFFORD DESIGNS Website...

Kaanji and Tara share their thoughts on mom shaming, self shame, and how social media contributes to a culture of comparison. Tune in and listen as our hosts discuss their own experiences of shame and how they strive to parent unashamedly. Connect with us: Clubhouse: @Kaanji and @Taraallyce Become a Podcast Patron: www.patreon.com/blackandwhitemomcast IG: @blackandwhitemomcast

Recently, Tara had the opportunity to attend Michelle Obama's book tour for her newest book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times . Tara shares some of the highlights and from the event, and our hosts discuss how Mrs. Obama's stories and strategies for staying balanced and surviving stress help them in their motherhood and womanhood journeys. Connect with us: Clubhouse: @Kaa...

For many of us, Thanksgiving week begins the holiday corridor, 6 weeks of nonstop activity that ends with the New Year celebration.  This episode, Kaanji and Tara discuss the holiday hustle, how they avoid it, and each host gives her two tips for maintaining a stress-free season. Connect with us: Clubhouse: @Kaanji and @Taraallyce Become a Podcast Patron: www.patreon.com/blackandwhitemomcast IG: @...

Kaanji and Tara share their first ladies' night out at a Lizzo concert and reflect upon why ladies' nights are so important for moms.  Listen as the ladies discuss their favorite Lizzo songs and lyrics and their personal struggles with body image. Connect with us: Clubhouse: @Kaanji and @Taraallyce Become a Podcast Patron: www.patreon.com/blackandwhitemomcast IG: @blackandwhitemomcast

This week our hosts discuss Kaanji's experience raising multiracial kids.  Kaanji and Tara discuss what it means to be biracial or multiracial and the increasing number of people that identify themselves this way in the US.  They dig deep into some of the hard questions around inclusivity, recognizing others' diversity, and helping our kids celebrate all parts of their background.  Conne...

In this spook-tacular episode, Kaanji and Tara discuss their kids' favorite Halloween costumes, scary movies, and their trick-or-treating traditions.  Connect with us: Clubhouse: @Kaanji and @Taraallyce Become a Podcast Patron: www.patreon.com/blackandwhitemomcast IG: @blackandwhitemomcast

  Kaanji and Tara are joined by Sarah Durham, educator, coach and creative, for this important conversation about neurodiversity, adolescence and academics.  Listen as Sarah, a former middle school teacher, shares her insights and advice for all parents and discusses her mission to normalize the variety of ways to empower young people to cultivate lives that work for them. Connect with Sarah: Inst...

This week our hosts talk about when it's ok to let our kids quit.  Kaanji and Tara both talk about the "quitters never win" philosophy they were both raised with and how they've had to unlearn it with their own kids.  Kaanji shares a scary experience that ended Roman's short lived football career and Tara reveals mistakes she made when Gage was younger that caused her to r...

Kaanji starts this episode out by getting straight to the point - how do we maximize our time so we can accomplish ALL THE THINGS?  Our hosts both discuss some of the practical tools they've used to manage their time, and also where they struggle.  Kaanji shares how she's learned to delegate, and Tara realizes she has more work to do in therapy - you don't want to miss this one.  Co...

This week, Kaanji and Tara chat about ways they have chosen to discipline their children.  Our hosts discuss different parenting philosophies around punishment. Listen to find out whether they have chosen to discipline their children the way they were raised. Connect with us: Clubhouse: @Kaanji and @Taraallyce Become a Podcast Patron: www.patreon.com/blackandwhitemomcast IG: @blackandwhitemomcast...

  In keeping with tradition, it's that time of year when Kaanji and Tara talk about what they are looking forward to this fall in TV, movies, and music. We get a recap of Tara's consolation vacation, find out what Kaanji's son is getting into these days, and we walk away with plenty of fun picks to put on our must see and listen lists this fall.  This is the season transition conver...

In a special Labor Day episode, Kaanji and Tara are joined by two very special guests, fellow moms Dominique and Dianthe.   All four mothers share their wildly different labor and delivery stories that involve orange juice, epidurals, a presidential inauguration and Dominos pizza!  The one takeaway from each story is that when it comes to labor and motherhood, no amount of planning can prepare you...

  This week, Kaanji and Tara talk about their views on allowing their kids more privacy and how it's changed as their sons have gotten older.  This topic has polarizing opinions, so they look to the internet experts for guidance.  They discussed closed doors (and why that is helpful for everyone), social media, and what scares them about allowing more space for their sons to explore on their...

 If you have student loan debt or are considering taking out loans to help your kids pay for college, then this is the episode for you! This week, Kaanji and Tara chat about the pitfalls of student loans, their debt repayment journey, and strategies for college savings for their kids.  Connect with us: Clubhouse: @Kaanji and @Taraallyce Become a Podcast Patron: www.patreon.com/blackandwhitemomcast...

As our hosts caught up on their summer activities, the conversation of vacations and how to be fully present with our families came up.  Tara admits that she's never really 100% unplugged from work, and Kaanji admits to frustration feeling responsible for the whole family's itinerary.  They both share ideas with each other on how they've found ways to set boundaries in order to enjo...

After an unexpected hiatus, our hosts are back!  The timing is perfect, too, because Tara is about to start navigating the challenges of her son starting middle school, and Kaanji has plenty of advice, since her son is about to start his last year.  Our hosts catch up on what we've missed during their time off, and are very excited to share new sponsored content!   Catch a brand new season of...