Psychology of Black Womanhood: Where Research Meets the Real World

This episode introduces Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons debut book  Good Sex . This book shares how we can redefine intimacies ways that works for us individually and collectively. Using a flavorful receipe approach, her research outlines how to build a sex life that’s authentic, pleasurable, and deeply connected. From intimacy and fun to kink and connection, Dr Hargons's shows us how to season our...

Pregnancy termination trends among Black women are influenced by various social, economic, and healthcare factors. However, less is known about the ways in which Black women negotiate the decision making process around terminating pregnancies. With nearly two decades of mental health research and clinical experience, Dr. Marckdaline Johnson helps men and women find strength and empowerment as they...

The Black community has been largely overlooked in the evolving landscape of psychedelic research, both in terms of participation in clinical trials and representation among researchers in the field. This lack of inclusion is particularly troubling when considering the profound potential of psychedelics to address and heal deep-seated traumas that are often a result of systemic racialization and d...

Incorporating Black identities and Black culture into therapy is essential for creating a therapeutic space that is not only effective but also respectful and validating. By understanding and embracing these elements, therapists can significantly enhance the therapeutic experience for Black clients, leading to better outcomes and a more profound sense of healing and empowerment. Integrating these...

Black girls are not receiving the recognition they truly deserve for their remarkable creativity, influence, and achievements on social media platforms. Despite their powerful contributions to digital culture, storytelling, and trendsetting, Black girls are often overshadowed and overlooked when it comes to monetization opportunities, brand partnerships, and access to resources that could fairly r...

Misogynoir is a term that describes the unique intersection of misogyny and anti-Black racism that Black women face. Coined by scholar Moya Bailey, it highlights how societal attitudes toward Black women are shaped simultaneously by gender and race, producing a distinct form of discrimination that differs from the experiences of white women and Black men. This episode explores how misogynoir shows...

The relationship between Black women’s hair and mental wellbeing is deeply personal, cultural, and complex. Many Black women navigate societal pressures, beauty standards, and workplace expectations that can shape how they feel about their natural hair, sometimes impacting self-esteem, identity, and mental health. This episode explores the journey toward self-love, authenticity, and empowerment th...

Emerging in the late 20th century, Afrofuturism is a powerful cultural movement that blends science fiction, African mythologies, imaginative storytelling, and visions of sociopolitical liberation. For Black women, Afrofuturism offers a transformative space to reimagine identity, possibility, and the future through creativity, empowerment, authenticity, and self-expression. Influential figures suc...

Black women’s positive sexuality encompasses rich, multifaceted understandings of sexual identity, desire, intimacy, and self-expression. This framework affirms Black women’s sexual autonomy, pleasure, and agency while actively challenging and dismantling long-standing stereotypes that have historically shaped and constrained Black womanhood. This episode explores what positive sexuality research...

In this episode, we explore the key factors that contribute to a successful and affirming graduate school experience for Black women entering psychology programs. From diverse faculty representation and culturally responsive curricula to strong mentorship networks, sisterhood, and tailored support systems, we break down what it truly takes to foster belonging, empowerment, and authenticity in acad...

Black sexual and gender minority (SGM) women often navigate layered experiences of stigma, discrimination, and invisibility—not only within broader society but also within their own racial, sexual, and gender minority communities. These intersecting realities can deeply impact mental health, emotional wellbeing, and holistic wellness, often contributing to feelings of isolation and disconnection....

While we love amplifying the voices of other Black women researchers, we are also going to have some episodes featuring excerpts from the Psychology of Black Womanhood book to explore together. In this episode, Dr. Dionne Stephens, co-author of the book and Professor of Psychology at the Florida International University, reads from the Black Love section of Chapter 8: Watering Our Roots: Black Wom...

In today’s digital age, online dating, AI-driven apps, and algorithm-based matching have become central ways people seek love, connection, and intimacy. But for Black women, this landscape can often feel exhausting, complicated, and deeply frustrating to navigate. Research shows that these experiences are shaped not only by stereotypes about Black womanhood, but also by the hidden influence of alg...

Black women have long played a crucial role in providing compassionate, culturally grounded end-of-life care within our communities, often serving as caregivers, advocates, and emotional anchors. Research highlights the many ways Black women offer emotional, spiritual, and practical support to individuals and families navigating the final stages of life. In many Black communities—where conversatio...

A report from the National Center for Victims of Crime found that 53.8% of Black women have experienced psychological abuse, highlighting a critical but often overlooked issue affecting mental health and wellbeing. Although psychological abuse does not leave visible bruises, it can have deep and lasting impacts on emotional health, self-esteem, and overall wellness. This form of abuse includes har...

One of the current critical issues in healthcare research is the glaring gap in research that delves into the health experiences of Black women specifically from non-deficit and wholistic positionalities. By not addressing these unique challenges and experiences, we risk perpetuating systemic biases and overlooking crucial insights that could lead to more effective and targeted supportive health a...

In the glittering world of reality TV—where drama, relationships, identity, and conflict often take center stage—the portrayal of Black women has long been a topic of both fascination and controversy. This episode dives into how Black women are represented on screen, exploring the impact of these portrayals on mental health, self-image, and public perception. We center conversations around authent...

“Black Don’t Crack” is a widely known colloquialism celebrating the idea that Black people appear to age more slowly, often attributed to melanin and bone structure differences. This phrase has taken on a life of its own in viral memes and social media clips that highlight Black beauty, radiance, and aging across generations. This episode goes beyond the surface to explore Black women’s experience...

Amid the explosion of social media fitness, wellness, and self-care content, a critical question remains: where is the representation of Black women and their culturally specific concerns in these digital spaces? For many Black women, wellness is not just about fitness trends—it is deeply connected to mental health, holistic wellness, body image, stress, and everyday survival in environments that...

The First Lady in the African American church is not just a title, but a position of influence, leadership, and deep responsibility within the faith community. In many African American congregations, First Ladies are looked to as spiritual guides who shape worship culture, foster community care, and support the social and emotional wellbeing of the church family. This episode explores the lived ex...

Studies have shown that Black women in the workplace are more likely to experience pay disparities, microaggressions, and limited access to leadership and high-ranking positions due to the intersecting impacts of racial and gender bias. Despite these systemic barriers, Black women continue to demonstrate resilience, authenticity, and excellence, often drawing on sisterhood, self-advocacy, and empo...

While there is an increasing visibility of Black women in polyamorous spaces across popular culture—such as Seeking Brother Husband and music lyrics—research on Black women’s experiences in polyamory, intimacy, and sexual health remains limited. This episode explores how Black women navigate love, relationships, desire, consent, and sexual wellbeing within polyamorous dynamics while confronting st...

The stigma surrounding infertility within the Black community can prevent many women from seeking the care, support, and safe spaces they need, further intensifying the emotional toll of the experience. Black women are significantly less likely to receive fertility treatments due to overwhelming financial barriers, healthcare inequities, and the mental and emotional burdens associated with inferti...

Image-Based Sexual Abuse—previously known as revenge pornography—is a form of online harassment involving the nonconsensual sharing of intimate images or videos. This episode explores how digital violence uniquely impacts Black women’s mental health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, and sense of safety in online spaces. Through conversations centered on healing, empowerment, authenticity, and r...

Today we are centering Dr. Maya Byfield's STEM Story. Dr. Maya Byfield passion is bridging innate talent and real-world opportunities. A role model to female and minority students, she helps a wide cross-section of young people chart promising futures. A Professor of Biological Sciences at with Seminole State College, Dr. Byfield has a BS in Biology from Oakwood University, MS in Biomedical Scienc...