Ready to Exhale

In this episode of Ready to Exhale , Katara sits down with Christine Platt to explore the powerful lessons from her new book, Less Is Liberation . Together, they discuss the importance of releasing what no longer serves us and creating space for the things that truly nourish us. Whether you're navigating leadership, caregiving, entrepreneurship, or simply the demands of everyday life, this episode...

In this episode of Ready to Exhale , Katara sits down with Faith Hunter for a grounding conversation on healing, spiritual well-being, and the power of returning to ourselves. A globally celebrated wellness guide and creator of the Spiritually Fly™ philosophy, Faith shares how yoga, meditation, and breath became part of her own healing journey and life’s purpose. Together, they explore emotional r...

In this episode of Ready to Exhale , Katara is joined by Latham Thomas—author, educator, and founder of Mama Glow—whose work is reshaping how we understand birth, postpartum care, and the well-being of mothers and babies. Together, they explore what it means to build systems where Black women are not only heard, but truly safe. Because too often, safety isn’t given—it’s something Black women are f...

In this episode of Ready to Exhale , Katara McCarty sits down with Dr. Raquel Martin, psychologist, educator, and thought leader in Black mental health and liberation psychology. Together they explore what it means to cultivate “Black mental wealth,” how our mental health is shaped by the world around us, and why community care is essential to our well-being. This conversation invites us to think...

In our final episode of Ready to Exhale for the year, Katara sits with you for a short solo reflection to gently close this season of conversation and care. This episode is a moment of gratitude for every listener and for each of the incredible women who joined her throughout the year. In this closing reflection, Katara shares what this year has held, what we are carrying forward, and offers an in...

We’re honored to welcome back Dr. Gail Parker to the Ready to Exhale podcast for a powerful two-part conversation. Together, we explore what it means to care for our mental health before reaching the breaking point and how daily practices can help us stay grounded and whole, especially in a year where over 300,000 Black women are unemployed and 45% of Black Women voters say their mental health has...

We’re honored to welcome back Dr. Gail Parker to the Ready to Exhale podcast for a powerful two-part conversation. Together, we explore what it means to care for our mental health before reaching the breaking point and how daily practices can help us stay grounded and whole, especially in a year where over 300,000 Black women are unemployed and 45% of Black Women voters say their mental health has...

In this solo episode, Katara invites us to pause, breathe, and reflect on the urgent importance of prioritizing our mental health and well-being as Black women. Especially now. She begins with grounding breathwork practice, weaves in data from The State of Self-Care for Black Women and The Highland Project’s Poll and speaks truth about the systems that harm us while pointing toward collective care...

Our host, Katara, sits down with the brilliant Tamara Winfrey-Harris, award-winning author of Dear Black Girl and The Sisters Are Alright. In this conversation, Tamara reminds us that freedom isn’t a finish line we cross, it’s a daily practice of telling the truth, creating community, and making space for Black women and girls to breathe fully. Together, Katara and Tamara explore what it means to...

Katara sits down with visionary leader Vanessa Garrison , co-founder of GirlTrek , the largest health nonprofit for Black women and girls in the U.S., with over one million walkers. Vanessa is reimagining public health as a path to liberation—grounding her work in the radical, beautiful act of walking. From reclaiming green spaces to sparking a civil rights–inspired health movement, Vanessa shares...

This month on Ready to Exhale , we’re joined by Dr. Lakeysha “Key” Hallmon - educator, entrepreneur, and author of No One Is Self-Made: Build Your Village to Flourish in Business and Life . In this powerful conversation, Dr. Hallmon unpacks the myth of individualism and invites us to reimagine success through the lens of collaboration and community. Together, we explore what it means to build a vi...

In this episode, Katara sits down with Kyra Epps for a heartfelt conversation on identity, legacy, and the power of staying grounded. Kyra—creative, producer, founder, and a woman deeply rooted in care—opens up about her journey navigating her career, motherhood, and legacy building, all while prioritizing her own healing and growth. This episode is full of reflection and real talk about what it m...

We are thrilled to kick off a new season of Ready to Exhale with the incredible Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette! Dr. B is a trailblazer in education, leadership, and community impact. She made history as the first female president of Huston-Tillotson University, Austin’s oldest institution of higher learning. With a background in engineering and technology, she has held executive roles in higher educa...

I sat down with Aseanté Renee, a colleague and healer.  A few days after the election, she asked me what emotions were loud for me. Her question caused me to pause and be with all of the emotions I was having. I was grateful for her thoughtfulness and care during this tender moment for many of us.  Aseanté is a beautiful human doing beautiful work. I was honored to have her on this episode of Read...

In this episode, I sat down with the lovely Octavia Raheem to discuss all things rest and her new book, Rest is Sacred, which is out now! As you will hear, Octavia is committed to herself, her family, community and being well rested in body, mind, heart, and spirit. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  Order Rest is Sacred Here https://www.octaviaraheem.com/rest-is-sacred Octavia'...

In this episode, Katara sits down with her friend Dr. Marlo D. David for a beautiful conversation to chat about how Black Women deserve space and time to think, to dream, and to reimagine our careers and lives.  Dr. Marlo D. David is an associate professor of English and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Purdue University. She is the author of Mama’s Gun: Black Maternal Figures and the Pol...

In this episode our host Katara chats with Dr. Gail Parker to discuss race-based stress and trauma and ways we can heal and live thriving lives. Gail Parker, PhD., CIAYT, is an author, psychologist, yoga therapist educator, and a lifelong practitioner of yoga. She is President Emerita of the Black Yoga Teachers Alliance (BYTA) Board of Directors where she served as President of the Board from 2020...

In this episode, Katara engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Tonya Lewis Lee, the visionary behind Movita Organics. They delve into the concept that, as Black Women, we are in a constant battle and must prioritize our wellness to effectively fight it. Tonya created Movita to help women gain a baseline of good nutrition and practice positive choices that support a lifestyle of well-bein...

In this episode, our host, Katara, sat down with Dr. Stella Safo to discuss her work as a board-certified HIV primary care physician, public health advocate, and Just Equity for Health founder. This healthcare improvement company uses advocacy, education, and care model design to ensure equitable care delivery across all sectors of medicine. Dr. Safo has experience in clinical transformation and h...

We sat down with Dr. Topeka to hear her beautiful story, from incarceration to launching and leading an amazing organization. Dr. Topeka K. Sam founded The Ladies of Hope Ministries (The LOHM) in 2017 to support women and girls impacted by the criminal legal system. While incarcerated, she realized that prison and jail are not conducive to healing and rehabilitation. Upon her release, Topeka made...

What does it mean for Black Women to take deep luxurious exhales? Gabrielle Wyatt, founder and CEO of The Highland Project, sits down with our host Katara McCarty to discuss the importance of pausing, resting, and centering ourselves. Episode available on all streaming platforms. 

Episode #2 was recorded live during Essence Fest Weekend, we stopped by Magnolia Yoga Studio to discuss "The State of Self-Care for Black Women" report by Exhale. Listen in as Rhonda Broussard, author of One Good Question, educator, and entrepreneur, along with Shelina Davis, CEO of Louisiana Public Health Institute, and Ajax Jackson, founder & CEO of Magnolia Yoga Studio, the first Black Yoga...

Episode #1 is here! In this episode, Bria McCarty, Producer and Director of Ready to Exhale podcast, interviews Katara, Exhale app's founder, and our podcast host. They discuss the importance of creating space for Black Women in the wellness industry and why representation is important. Enjoy the show!

Our host Katara shares more about Ready to Exhale and what to expect from this podcast.