Raised By Her Podcast

Did you know our grandmothers were best friends with Dave Chappelle’s family? We open up about our real-life connection to the comedy legend and the truth about Yellow Springs. In this episode, we bridge the gap between generations to tackle the biggest cultural conversations of the week. We start by sharing our "freezing" experience at Podfest in Orlando and the realities of the podcast...

Was the First Lady’s dress disrespectful… or simply modern fashion? In this episode of Raised By Her, we break down the viral Pastor Jamal Bryant / Karri Turner controversy and what it reveals about church culture, boundaries, and double standards. We also revisit the long-awaited Oprah Winfrey & Iyanla Vanzant reunion—unpacking the real reason they fell out, what reconciliation requires, and...

Welcome back to Raised By Her! We’re kicking off the New Year with equal parts chaos, culture, and celebration. In this episode, we unpack a tense misunderstanding with police at a VA hospital (yes—expired insurance and Santa hats were involved), then shift into the unsettling reality of riding in a self-driving Tesla Model 3 and how EV ownership is changing what maintenance really looks like. Fro...

Are you exhausted from high achievement—or struggling to communicate effectively at work? In this episode of Raised by Her, we unpack why being “direct” isn’t always effective, explore the dark side of the Enneagram Type 3, and reflect on what it really takes to move into 2026 without burning out. Through an honest mother–daughter conversation, we reflect on the challenges of 2025 and set the stag...

In this special holiday episode of Raised by Her , we dive into the rising controversy surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs and unpack the culture of 90s hip-hop through Ro Nita’s firsthand experience as a radio station owner. Ro Nita shares never-before-heard stories from inside the industry — from the era of Bad Boy Records to the difference between authentic talent and carefully manufactured celebrit...

We recorded an entire episode… and lost it. So we hit reset and turned a podcast disaster into one of our realest conversations yet about holiday grief, family boundaries, and surviving the chaos of the season. In this episode of Raised By Her , we keep it 100%. Donnica shares what really happened the night she was honored at the Who’s Who in Black Dayton & Cincinnati awards—including the vale...

Burnout, anxiety, low libido, “mystery symptoms,” and feeling stuck in midlife? You’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone. In this episode of Raised By Her , holistic health strategist and international best-selling author Victoria LeFebre shares how to move from Chaos to Confidence—especially if you’re navigating perimenopause, chronic stress, or hormone-related shifts. Victoria breaks down he...

Is 70 the new 50—or are we just ignoring the fine print of aging?  In this episode of Raised By Her , we break down healthy aging , building a 10-year aging plan , and why the “I’ll be happy when…” mindset keeps people stuck. Ro Nita and Donnica recap the “Paws in Paris” gala with a surprise third co-host— Truffle the Dog —and share hilarious pet stories (including the $10,000 puppy we almost boug...

Thanksgiving stories, Wicked Part Two, and why The Wizard of Oz still hits in 2025 — we’re covering it all on this episode of Raised By Her. 💚🦃✨ This week, Ro Nita and Donnica open with a cozy (and hilarious) look at Black family Thanksgiving traditions: fried vs. smoked turkey, mac & cheese rules (Velveeta is banned 😅), how grandmothers cooked everyone’s favorite dish, and the emotional w...

A winter snowstorm, a scary car accident, a trip to New Orleans, and a debate about modern womanhood — this episode covers it all. This week on Raised By Her , we talk through the chaos of the first Midwest snowstorm and the frightening car accident that kicked off the morning. We reflect on childhood memories, what it means to feel safe, and how moments like these stay with you. From there, we sh...

In this wide-ranging mother-daughter chat, we cover everything from childhood nostalgia to beauty standards and self-confidence. Ro Nita shares what it was like growing up when there were no Black Barbies — and how representation in dolls like Addie from American Girl made a lasting impact. We dive into the complex history of Black dolls in America and how those toys shaped identity and imaginatio...

From Halloween chaos to healthy habits — this week’s Raised By Her dives into everything from trick-or-treat surprises to the sleep routines that keep us sane. Ro Nita and Donnica unpack a week filled with sugar highs, sports overload, and late-night reflections on rest, reading, and why real self-care isn’t just bubble baths. In this episode, the mother-daughter duo share funny stories about Hall...

In this episode of Raised By Her , we catch up after a whirlwind week — from a breathtaking family wedding in Chattanooga’s Lookout Mountain to receiving a Social Justice award at the NAACP Freedom Awards. They share what made the wedding truly special (hint: thoughtful details, live music, and fireworks), reflect on Ed Gordon’s powerful keynote about activism and accountability, and dig into the...

A surprise call from mom's college boyfriend sparks a deep, personal, and hilarious mother-daughter conversation about love, dating, and marriage. This week on "Raised by Her," we're sharing it all—from high school dating to 10-year wedding anniversaries. We explore the massive generational differences in parenting, like mom's strict "no dating until 16" rule, an...

#raisedbyher  How do you build something from nothing - and find the courage to keep going? In this episode, Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders (broadcasting/arts executive) and Donnica Hawes-Saunders (public affairs CEO) unpack creativity, courage, risk-taking, and intergenerational wisdom - from throwing legendary theme parties and producing campus theater during the civil rights era to building a radio sta...

You’ll learn: the difference between boredom vs. burnout, boundary-setting that actually sticks, creative leadership tactics (retreats, team ideation, fresh projects), why rest is non-negotiable, and how to read your body’s early warning signs. 👉 Question for you: What’s one boundary you’ll set this month to protect your energy? Tell us in the comments. Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:01 Why burnout...

#raisedbyher  In this episode of Raised By Her, we sit down for an essential mother-daughter conversation about women's health. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we share our family's experiences, the importance of early detection, and the realities of getting a mammogram. The conversation then unfolds into an honest discussion about fibroids- a condition that affects up to 80%...

#raisedbyher In this bonus episode of Raised By Her , Donnica and Ro Nita join the Podcast Business News Network to share a candid mother–daughter conversation on resilience, leadership, and the lessons passed down across generations. From navigating fear as a compass rather than a roadblock, to carrying forward the wisdom of family legacies, this episode explores how generational storytelling hel...

#RaisedByHer  In this episode of Raised by Her, Ro Nita and Donnica dive deep into the real-life experiences that shape us. Why do women often wait for 100% of qualifications to apply for a job, while men apply with only 60%? We tackle this shocking statistic and explore the roots of confidence, from parental belief to the tough lessons learned in sports. Ro Nita and Donnica get candid about their...

#RaisedByHer From puppy-sitting a fluffy “teddy bear” pup to leaping off an 11,000-foot mountain, this episode of Raised by Her is packed with laughter, adventure, and life lessons. 🐶⛰️ Ro Nita and Donnica start with heartfelt memories of family pets — from poodles to a rescued miniature greyhound — and dive into how to choose the right dog for your lifestyle. Then, the mother-daughter duo takes...

#RaisedByHer In this episode, Ro Nita and Donnica kick off the conversation with a poignant reflection on the 24th anniversary of September 11th, sharing their personal memories of that day. The conversation then shifts to a deep dive into emotional intelligence, guided by a recent presentation Donnica gave on the topic. Using psychologist Daniel Goleman's five-component framework, they explo...

Welcome to the very first episode of "Raised By Her," the podcast where generations connect, reflect, and get real about life. Join mother-daughter duo Ro Nita (74) and Donnica (39) as they dive into the big decision that brought them back to the same city after years apart. In this episode, Donnica shares the hilarious and strategic story behind convincing her big-city husband to move f...