Real. Relatable.

Forget society, love is love! But, is age nothing but a number? How old/young Is too old/young? Does it stem from mommy/daddy issues or can two people so many years or even generations apart truly fall in love? This episode Donna sits down with Sophia Spallino, host of Enlightened with Sophia Spallino, who is in a partnership with her love 28 years her senior. How did they meet? What drew them tog...

Being a working mom has its unique challenges, running your own business(es) adds another layer. What drives you to begin in the first place? How do your grow your business while maintaining relationships with yourself, others and kids at home? How do you balance It all? This week Donna chats with Jodi Covington, a proud mother and business woman who has truly found the harmony in having it all. I...

Everyone knows how drastically women's bodies change to bring children into this world, but did you know the "snap back" isn't just physical? What mental changes do parents go through? Do we ever truly return to our pre-baby selves? For women, hormonal changes can be just as challenging as the physical. This week Donna sits down with Anique Russell, mother of 2, wife and entrepreneur on how she na...

Have you ever dated outside of your culture? Did it open your world view? What were the challenges you faced? Join us with return guest Lauren Oliver to dive Into her perspective of never having dated outside of her race and Donna who has dated at least one representative of every country in the United Nations.  Instagram:  @LaurenxMi  @DonnaJaneen  @RealRelatablePodcasts ...

Have you or a loved one worried about passing an autoimmune disease or a chronic illness to your born/unborn child? This week Donna sits down with Phill Okwo, a lifelong Sickle Cell Warrior, dedicated Sickle Cell advocate and father of 2. Phill discusses the destigmatization of sickle cell and how he has been able to live a full, long life despite his illness.  Resources:  Sickle Cell Re...

We always joke about how any time you see a black person in a horror film, they don’t make it to the end of the movie. Is that rooted in racism? How have horror films been influenced and shaped history? This month on Now We Know, we’re dividing into Horror Noire A History of Black Horror, a documentary from 2019 that Jonathan found. We celebrate the evolution of black representation as it evolves...

Don't mess with Texas? Don't mess with women's bodies. The Texas abortion ban has created a flood of opinions and everyone in everyone else's business when they have no right even to be there. This month, Donna and Jonathan dive into this highly debated topic as adoption can be a beautiful avenue but that's not the case for everyone - nor should it be the only option. Forcing people into these sit...

It's August and officially Back to School season and what better time to talk about CRT. But, what is CRT? Does it really need to be banned in k-12 schools? This month on Now We Know, Donna and Jonathan dive into Critical Race Theory and what nuance would’ve meant for them in school growing up.  Instagram:   @RealRelatablePodcasts @DonnaJaneen  www. DonnaJaneen.com/podcasts #cr...

This month on Now We Know, Donna & Jonathan were all in their feelings! Together they discuss the documentary In Our Mothers' Gardens that beautifully details generation to generation the good, the bad and the ugly life experiences of black women from the diaspora living in America. The hardships overcome to shape these women and the figurative garden beds they nurtured to bring beautiful harv...

In honor of June being Pride Month, Donna chats with her good friend Jeannie on what it was like for her being part of the LGBT+ community in the south with a very religious upbringing. Listen in on how to be the best ally, whether you know someone needs it or not. Instagram:  @DonnaJaneen @RealRelatablePodcast

Donna's dad, Thomas, joins us in the ever so professionally sound-proofed recording nook in Boise for the first time. From pre-parenthood to now a grandparent, Thomas shares his thoughts on the societal pressures and joys of becoming a parent.  YouTube: T Vlog P https://www.youtube.com/user/thomaspolk54/featured https://www.youtube.com/c/MercedesClassicswithPierreHedary Instagram: @DonnaJaneen @Re...

Juneteenth brings a certain amount of joy yet confusion as Jonathan and Donna work through their sentiments towards the holiday. Do they celebrate or simply acknowledge? What's enough, what's not enough? Listen along as together they have a revelation about Juneteenth and what it truly means for black culture in America. High on the Hog - How African American Cuisine Transformed America Docuseries...

The conversation surrounding mental health and therapy needs to continue. We all have vulnerabilities to work through whether that's from life experience or simply how we're made. It's never too late to take the first step to take care of yourself mentally. Check in on yourself and those around you, you never know what someone is going through. Suggested Tune: Johnnie Frierson Have You Been Good t...

Colorism and hair are not as widely discussed as they need to be. We experience discrimination from the hue of our skin to the bounce of our hair or lack there of. Let's dive into these topics, as really they coincide, and figure out how it all started. Remember original Aunt Viv on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or Claire on My Wife & Kids? Exactly.  Instagram: @DonnaJaneen @RealRelatablePodcast RealRel...

As tensions continually erupt socially, do you ever wonder what thoughts go on inside law enforcement? Do you ever wonder how black cops cope? With the intention of creating a safe space to let it out, let's get some insider thoughts with our resident law enforcement officer. Disclaimer: **With thoughts and opinions that are representative of themself and only themself.** Instagram: @DonnaJaneen @...

To celebrate the 4th annual Black Maternal Health Week (thanks to the Black Mamas Matter Alliance) it's about time we talk to an expert in the OB/GYN field directly. We have talked about the disparity in black maternal health care in the US so this week we are sitting down with Karen Ashby, MD to discuss what she has seen over her years of practice and how to be an advocate for change in the commu...

Hello Women’s History Month! There are so many incredible women we can highlight that have done an immense amount of work to advance women and humanity overall. This week we’re focusing on Lorraine Hansberry as a black playwright, activist and humanitarian who way the first to test the stage of Broadway. Weekly Faith in Humanity Restored: CHILASAROMA Candles @CHILASAROMA www. CHILASAROMA.com Insta...

It’s about time we have the pleasure to host a conversation with a black law enforcement agent. Delving into some of the not well known of law enforcement and tapping back in on the gun conversation from the very first episode of Real. Relatable. with Mo’ Guns, Mo Problems. Weekly Faith in Humanity Restored: 1770 Armory & Gun Club https://1770armory.com/ Support black business! Instagram: @TechJit...

Did you know Black History Month started with Negro History Week? Many thanks to those before us who did the work in making sure there was room for us to learn what we know and can expand upon today. May we be radical in dismantling to learn who we truly are in the best effort push forward positively as a people. We’re also celebrating a few greats who hadn’t gotten as much recognition and thank t...

Allow me to introduce you to Jonathan Stokes, co-host of the branch off of your favorite podcast, a monthly series of Real. Relatable. dubbed “Now We Know”. Jonathan and I unpack major topics surrounding learning, unlearning and re-learning what we should’ve been taught about our black history. As MLK Jr day approaches, we launch the first episode of this series with focus on honoring Dr. Martin L...

It’s time to let our hair down and talk about what dating looks like during a pandemic with that extra layer of complication for single moms. I definitely shared some things that went beyond my typical comfort level 😬 but I can’t call this Real. Relatable. without pushing that boundary particularly when surrounding the topic of dating. This week we have a special guest joining us who definitely r...

What an incredible moment in the history of our country! This 2020 election has had us all on pins and needles awaiting the outcome. Now that we've seen the numbers, it's even more clear we have a ways to go. 

In the year of trials and tribulations, I decided I would challenge myself. In doing so, I felt more empowered than ever and ready to take on what I didn't think I would before. I'm buying a home (again), which means I really am dedicating myself to Idaho.  Weekly Faith in Humanity Restored:  @Inclusive_Idaho  www.inclusiveidaho.org  ***GO VOTE*** Instagram: @RealRelatablePodcast

Who better to gain perspective from than someone who has dedicated their life to the fight for social justice? I cannot be more thankful to have Reverend Mark Thompson on the podcast this week, with some real insight and great takeaways for how we can all do more for the cause. Weekly Faith in Humanity Restored: @ColorofChange www. ColorofChange.org  @NAACP www.naacp.org @GunsDownAmerica www....

I think we've all been tested across the board this year. How we're showing up is a testament to who we truly are. It doesn't mean we're not tired or that we'll stop pushing through, if anything we have learned we have to continue to fight. Instagram: @RealRelatablePodcast Weekly Faith in Humanity Restored - since Day 1:  National Alliance on Mental Illness www. NAMI.org Black Mamas Matter Al...